Ekweremadu, his wife, Beatrice and their doctor, Obinna Obetawere were arrested in June this year and have been standing trial for conspiracy charges.
It is alleged that they conspired with others unknown and with another family member Isaac Ekweremadu, to arrange the travel of a 21-year-old man identified as David Ukpo Nwamini, with the intention of exploiting him between August 1, 2021, and May 5 2021.
Sonia who had a kidney-related issue and has been on dialysis was arranged to take one of David’s kidneys in the UK.
While in court, the prosecutors claimed that the plot was to harvest Nwamini’s organ for Sonia’s benefit.
The prosecutors told the court that the Ekweremadus and their doctor were arrested after the young man, who previously lived on the streets of Lagos, turned up at Staines police station, claiming he was the victim of trafficking.
Nwamini told police officers that he had arrived in the UK on 20 February this year and was taken to Royal Free Hospital for a series of tests, none of which he consented to.
Nwamini also added that he was ‘treated effectively as a slave’ before he escaped the address and was homeless for three days before going to the police.
Mr. Ekweremadu and his doctor are, however, on remand in HMP Wandsworth and HMP Belmarsh respectively.
Mrs Ekweremadu who was granted bail at a hearing in July, appeared in court today alongside Sonia.
The defendants were due to enter their pleas but this could not take place today because of further legal argument.
The trial has been brought forward from May 2023 to January 31 2023, at the Old Bailey.
The Ekweremadus and Obeta will next appear at the Old Bailey on 16 December this year.
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