Anthony Iwuoma
The Nigerian Senate has reacted to the arrest and detention of one of their own, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, in London.
The former Senate President and his wife were arrested by the London Metropolitan Police over allegations of organ harvest of a minor.
However, the senate had remained silent on the matter until it was called out by angry Nigerians, prompting its reaction and resolve to send a delegation of its committee on foreign affairs to London to see the detainees, barely 24 hours after.
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The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, disclosed this at the end of a closed door session on Wednesday, saying the Red Chamber was briefed on Ekweremadu’s arrest in London.
The Senate also directed its committee on foreign affairs to engage with the British High Commission with a view to obtaining more relevant information on the saga.
Sen. Lawan added that he had personally contacted the Nigerian High Commissioner to Britain.
He said the Nigerian envoy had done very well in the matter and had been able to provide some consular services for the Ekweremadus, including the engagement of lawyers who will defend them in court.
“There will be a delegation to London to see Senator Ekweremadu and his wife. The delegation on the senate committee on foreign affairs will leave in two days,” the Senate President assured.
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“We urge all institutions that can do anything to ensure that they do so, particularly the ministry of foreign affairs. And as for the Nigerian High Commission, we can ask for more but they have done us proud,” he said.
Sen. Ekweremadu and his wife were last week arrested by the London Police and charged with allegedly trafficking a 15-year-old with the intention of harvesting his kidney and claiming he was 21 years old.
The couple was brought before the Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court in London but denied bail and ordered to remain in custody until July 7, 2023.