The Nigeria Immigration Service has said it is investigating the authenticity of the passport of a 15-year-old boy, Ukpo Nwamini David, allegedly trafficked to the United Kingdom for organ harvest by a former Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, and his wife, Beatrice Nwanneka.
The acting Comptroller-General of NIS, Mr Idris Jere, made the disclosure on Saturday while responding to inquiries from PUNCH on the controversy surrounding David’s passport.
The Star had reported that a Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court in the UK ordered the remand of Ekweremadu, and his wife, who were arrested for organ harvesting.
The court gave the order following the suspects’ arraignment on Thursday.
It ordered that Ekweremadu, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who has been a senator since 2003, and his wife should be remanded till July 6.
The arrest of Ekweremadu, the senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District, and his wife was disclosed via a statement issued by the Metropolitan Police.
READ ALSO: UK varsity bans Ekweremadu over organ harvesting allegation
The Met said it launched an investigation after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022.
According to the prosecutor, a 15-year-old homeless boy was transported from Lagos State to Heathrow Airport with the intent to transplant the boy’s organs to one of Ekweremadu’s daughters who suffers from kidney failure.
However, a trending picture of David’s passport with number B00569974 had shown that he was born on October 12, 2000, which means that he is 21 years old.
This is however contrary to the report that David is 15 years old.
The passport was issued in Abuja on November 5, 2021, and would expire on November 4, 2026.
Speaking on the controversy surrounding the passport, Jere said the Immigration Service was probing the passport.
“We are investigating the passport and the issues surrounding it. We will come out with our findings soon,” he said.
- Christmas: Let’s be instruments of peace, Uba Sani urges Christians - December 25, 2024
- Tinubu felicitates Christians on Christmas, says Nigeria on path of restoration - December 24, 2024
- Court sends oil magnate to prison for diverting $26m refinery fund - December 24, 2024
