Sonia Ekweremadu on Monday appeared in a UK court amid a trial over alleged organ harvesting.

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According to Daily Mail, the daughter of Ike Ekweremadu, former deputy senate president is charged with conspiracy to arrange the travel of another person with a view to harvest the person’s organ for her benefit.

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Sonia is said to be suffering from a kidney disease and needs a transplant.

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The former deputy senate president and Beatrice, his wife, are facing charges bordering on conspiracy to arrange/facilitate the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.

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The couple were arrested by London Metropolitan Police in June and appeared before a magistrate court in July.

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Ekweremadu’s wife was granted bail on July 22, but the senator’s request was denied.

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The police had alleged that David Ukpo, the reported victim at the centre of the organ harvesting allegation, is a 15-year-old but the court ruled that he is 21.

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The Central Criminal Court had adjourned the case till November for pretrial applications, while the trial is to commence fully on May 2, 2023.

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But the case has been brought forward to January 2023, according to Daily Mail.

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The defendants were said to have been due to enter their pleas on Monday but this could not take place because of “further legal argument”.

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“We are told that this court is in a position to accommodate the trial…three months earlier,” Daily Mail quoted Oliver Glasgow, a prosecutor, as saying.

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“If an earlier date can be offered, and one can be, then it should be taken.”

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Sonia and her mother were said to have appeared in court on Monday, while the senator was absent.

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The hearing has been adjourned till December 16.

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Source: Roving Naija

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