Following the current ordeal of former deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, the University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, has suspended the lawmaker’s appointment as a Visiting Professor to the institution.
The university recently appointed Ekweremadu a visiting professor of Corporate and International Linkages.
On Thursday, Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice were arrested and subsequently arraigned before a London Magistrates’ Court in Uxbridge for allegedly conspiring to harvest the kidney of a 15-year-old boy, Ukpo Nwamini David.
Prosecutors had told the court that David, who was trafficked from Nigeria, arrived in the UK with the passport of a 41-year-old man.
According to the London Mail, which on Friday quoted the university’s spokesperson, Ekweremadu’s duties at the institution have been suspended for now.
University of Lincoln spokesperson said, “Visiting professors are often, as is in this case, non-resident at the university, unpaid and advisory.
“We are deeply concerned about the nature of these allegations, but as this is an active police investigation, we cannot comment further at this stage.
“Whilst this matter is subject to investigation, this person will not be undertaking any duties as visiting professor at Lincoln.”
Shortly after his appointment by the university two weeks ago, elated Ekweremadu had tweeted, “It was a pleasure and an honour to receive a letter of appointment by the University of Lincoln, UK, as Visiting Professor of Corporate and International Linkages.
“I also got a highly treasured gift – a copy of the Magna Carta. It was created in 1215, about 807 years ago.”
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that David, the teenager at the centre of the organ harvesting allegation, entered the United Kingdom (UK) with the passport showing him to be 41 years old.
In its report on Friday, the London Mail, claimed that David was also unaware that he was being taken to London by the Ekweremadus for the purpose of donating his kidney.
“The 15-year-old was given the passport of a 41-year-old in order to get into the UK, but did not know he was there to donate a kidney until he went for a hospital appointment in London, a court heard yesterday (Thursday),” the Mail quoted Prosecutor Damla Ayas as telling the Uxbridge Magistrates Court.
Prosecutors argued that David’s passport was illegally procured.
The newspaper further said, “After he (David) arrived in the capital in February, he had a string of medical appointments about kidney donation, but a consultant at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead, North London, became concerned about the boy’s real age and if he knew he was there to donate an organ, it is alleged.
“’He was provided with a medical travel visa saying the purpose of the travel was to provide medical treatment for the defendants’ daughter who was undergoing dialysis in relation to a number of health issues.
“It was premeditated, it was planned. Blood tests were obtained in Nigeria and he travelled to the UK in February this year.
“He was taken to several medical appointments, in particular a medical appointment at the Royal Free Hospital, and was spoken to by a consultant about the organ harvesting for a kidney transplant.
“The consultant was concerned about his actual age and was concerned he was not aware he was the donor of the kidney. He only found out that the purpose of his visit was for an organ transplant when he visited the hospital.”
Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice are charged with conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.
Their ailing daughter, Sonia requires a kidney transplant.
The couple risks a 10-year jail term if found guilty.
The Metropolitan Police said the boy has been taken into protective custody while Ekweremadu and his wife are remanded in custody.
The matter has been adjourned till July 7 when the court is expected to rule on jurisdiction.
