There is a new twist in the alleged child organ harvesting case involving Ike Ekweremadu, former deputy senate president.

On Thursday the London Metropolitan Police charged Ekweremadu and Beatrice, his wife, to court over the allegation of bringing a child to the UK for organ harvesting.

The investigation was launched after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022.

The UK authorities said the “child” had “been safeguarded”, while the police added that its operatives “are working closely with partners on continued support”.

As widely reported, Ekweremadu had written to the UK High Commission to support a visa application of a “donor” listed as Ukpo Nwamini David.

In the letter, Ekweremadu said Ukpo was undergoing “medical investigations for a kidney donation to Ms Sonia Ekweremadu”.

Although the police had said the donor was 15, data from his international passport indicate that he is 21 years old.

According to information on the passport data page of Ukpo, he was born on October 12, 2000.

The date of issuance of the passport was listed as November 4, 2021, which is a few weeks before Ekweremadu wrote to the UK high commission in respect of the medical visa application.

A check on the Bank Verification Number (BVN) portal also showed Ukpo’s date of birth as October 12, 2000.

The case against the former senator and his wife has been adjourned till July 7.

After appearing before Uxbridge magistrates’ court on Thursday, they were denied bail and remanded in custody.

 

 

 

Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has confirmed Bashir Machina as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Yobe north senatorial district.

Machina, at a primary organised by the party in May, had won unopposed.

However, there were speculations that he was being asked to step down for Senate President Ahmad Lawan, who currently represents the district.

But Machina had insisted that he would not withdraw for Lawan — the senate president had contested the APC presidential ticket but lost.

Amid the controversy, the APC submitted Lawan’s name to INEC as its senatorial candidate for Yobe north, and Abdullahi Adamu, APC national chairman, had said the senate president contested a senatorial primary organised by the party.

Adamu had also warned Machina over his comments on the party’s senatorial ticket for the district.

However, on Friday, an INEC report surfaced online, in which Machina was confirmed as having won the APC senatorial primary for Yobe north after he polled 289 votes unopposed.

The document was signed and stamped with the date, June 23, 2022.

Confirming the genuineness of the document, Rotimi Oyekanmi, chief press secretary to the INEC chairman, said the document is from the commission.

“It’s our document,” he said.

According to the document, the primary, which held on May 28, was monitored by INEC officials and security agents and was done via open-secret ballot.

The result of the exercise was also said to have been “generally acccepted”.

 

 

 

At least five persons, including two policemen, were feared killed by armed bandits in two communities of Guma and Ukum Local Government Areas of Benue State on Thursday night. 

It was gathered from local sources that some gunmen suspected to be herdsmen attacked Yelwata community of Guma LGA, killed two policemen and took away their guns on Thursday night. 

Meanwhile, on the same night, three other persons, including a lecturer with the Federal University, Wukari were said to have been gunned down by armed bandits at Jootar, Mbaterem, in Mbayenge Council Ward, the Ukum Local Government Area of the state. 

The three deceased victims, all friends, were said to have sat at a drinking joint close to a Federal Quarantine Check Point in the community at about 7pm when the unknown gunmen stormed the border town and shot them point blank, killing them on the spot. 

Eyewitnesses said the attackers, two young men and a lady, rode on a Bajaj Motorcycle to the area. One of them allegedly pointed the gun at their targets, shot and killed them after which he jumped back on the motorcycle and they rode away unchallenged. 

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Catherine Anene, a Superintendent of Police, confirmed the killing of the policemen in Yelwata community of Guma but said she was yet to receive information about the Ukum killing.

 

 

 

Gunmen early Friday bombed a Police Area Command office at Eika-Ohizenyi in Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State, killing one Inspector Jibril on duty.

A resident of the area, Momoh Abubakar, disclosed that the attackers invaded the station around 12:15am with explosives and other weapons.

He stated that the first bomb they threw into the station made a heavy sound that woke up many residents, adding the explosives brought down part of the police station.

Abubakar added that the attackers had a field day as they operated for more than two hours without any interference from security agents or the people of the community.

The resident revealed further that the only police officer on duty, Jibril popularly known as Yellow, was killed during the attack while the only operational vehicle in the police station was destroyed.

He added that the gunmen shattered windows of Eika Community Central Mosque and a Catholic church near the police station.

Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Edward Egbuka, said he has “ordered the deployment of additional operational assets, consisting of operatives of the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Quick Response Unit, State Intelligence Bureau in synergy with other security agencies to restore normalcy in the area.”

According to the state Command Police Public Relations Officer , William Aya, part of the Area Command Office was razed by dynamite used by the attackers.

“A police inspector died in the exchange of fire with the hoodlums, before the Area Commander and a detachment of military in the area reinforced to the scene of incident, and the attackers fled,” he said.

Meanwhile, the commissioner of police assured that the Command is committed to working in synergy with other security agencies to make the state safe.

 

 

Bandits have abducted 22 farmers and burnt tractors during a coordinated attack on farmers at Rafin-Daji community, Gurdi ward of Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Rafin-Daji shares boundary with Zago community in Niger State through River Gurara.

A farmer who narrowly escaped the attack, Saidu Yakubu, said the incident happened around 2pm on Thursday when the bandits in their large numbers, wielding AK-47 rifles, attacked farmers that were cultivating in the community.

He said the bandits, who went on rampage shooting sporadically into the air before whisking away the farmers, burnt down two tractors that were being used to cultivate a large farmland in the community before the attack.

He also said 13 members of the same family were among the 22 abducted victims.

He gave the names of the abducted 13 family members as Ismaila Barde, Mustapha Barde, Nasiru Barde, Abdulkarim Barde, Sanusi Barde, Usman, Barde.

Others are Nura Barde, Abdullahi Barde, Babawo Barde, Farida Ayuba, Hauwa Ayuba and Hussaini Abdullahi.

He said the 13 family members, including two females, were working in their separate farmlands when the bandits swooped on them.  

“It was only God that saved me as I managed to escape when the bandits came in their large number, shooting into the air. Some of them set fire on two tractors working on the farm,” he said.  

The district head of Gurdi chiefdom, Bala Mohammed, confirmed the abduction of farmers and burning of tractors by bandits while speaking with our reporter through telephone on Friday.

He said he was yet to ascertain the exact number of the abducted farmers, adding that his people were under siege.

“It was even the district head of Gulida, Abubakar Sadauna, that alerted me that bandits had abducted some farmers who were working on their farms and also burnt down two tractors. But I am yet to get the actual number of those involved,” he said.

Bala said he had reported the kidnap incident at the Yaba police division and the authorities of Abaji Area Council.

Spokesperson of FCT police command, Oduniyi Omotayo, confirmed the kidnap incident, saying the farmers were working when gunmen kidnapped them.

“And upon receipt of the information, a combined team of police officers from various tactical and intelligence units of the command, vigilantes and local hunters stormed the forest, combing the place aggressively,” he said.

He said efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims and bring perpetrators to book while monitoring and surveillance of the community continue.

 

 

 

Former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, charged with alleged conspiracy to harvest the organs of a child in the United Kingdom, face life imprisonment if found guilty and convicted to maximum sentence under the UK’s Modern Slavery Act 2015 (MSA 2015).

The couple, who were arrested following an investigation by the London Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime team, were arraigned before Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court.

The court denied them bail, but ordered that they be remanded till July 7.

The police had said the investigation was launched after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022.

“[A] Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu, 55 (10.9.66) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.

“[B] Ike Ekweremadu, 60 (12.05.62) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting,” the police said in a statement.

The police added that the child had been safeguarded.

Meanwhile, there was a letter in circulation purporting that Ekweremadu had, in December 2021, written a letter to the British High Commission about a kidney donation for his daughter.

He was said to have stated in the letter that he was writing in support of a visa applicant scheduled for “medical investigations for a kidney donation to his daughter.

Couple arrested en route Turkey– Prosecutors

Prosecutors said the couple were arrested at Heathrow Airport on their way to Istanbul, Turkey, ARISE TV reported.

The prosecutors at the court said the Ekweremadu and his wife were being charged for bringing a 15-year-old boy from Nigeria to the UK with the claim that he was to be given a better life, but they were actually meant to harvest his organ.

The prosecutors told the court that Ekweremadu procured a passport for the boy and claimed he was 21 years old, but discovered that he was 15.

The prosecutors were also said to have told the court that the couple had a daughter with a kidney-related disease and had been on dialysis for quite some time.

They told the court that it was believed that the plan was to use an organ from the boy on their daughter who appeared to need a kidney transplant.

According to the prosecutors, it is believed that the couple were on their way to procure another organ as they were unable to harvest the organ of the boy.

Ekweremadu and his wife had separate legal representations and prayed the court to release them on bail, but the prayer was dismissed by the Magistrate.

Punishment for organ harvesting under UK law

The United Kingdom’s Modern Slavery Act 2015 frowns at human trafficking under which organ harvesting falls and is punishable with maximum sentence of life imprisonment upon conviction.

The Act partly reads: “Under S. 2, an individual commits an offence if they arrange or facilitate the travel of another with a view to that person being exploited. It is irrelevant whether that person consents to the travel, or whether they are a child or an adult.

“Under S. 3 of MSA 2015, exploitation includes: slavery, servitude and forced or compulsory labour; sexual exploitation (which involves the commission of an offence under s 1(1)(a) of the Protection of Children’s Act 1978 (indecent photographs of children), or Pt 1 of SOA 2003 (eg, rape or sexual assault); removal of organs where a person is encouraged required or expected to do anything which involves the commission of an offence under ss 32 or 33 of the Human Tissue Act 2004 (prohibition of commercial dealings in organs and restrictions on use of live donors); securing services etc by force, threats or deception; securing services etc from children and vulnerable persons (eg, physically or mentally ill or disabled).”

It further stated that anyone found guilty of “human trafficking is liable on summary conviction to 12 months’ imprisonment and/or unlimited fine,” adding that “on conviction on indictment, the maximum sentence is life imprisonment.”

Ekweremadu and his wife have surrendered their passports to the British Government.

Ekweremadu’s spokesman, Uche Anichukwu, was not available for comment yesterday.

Ekweremadu, a politician and lawyer, who was recently made a visiting professor at the University of Lincoln, had served three terms as deputy president of the Senate between 2007 and 2019.

The BBC reports that the magistrates were told that Ekweremadu and his wife live in Nigeria, but have family in London.

The BBC quoted the spokesman of the University of Lincoln, to have 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.”

 

 

 

The World Bank says inflation is likely to push an additional one million Nigerians into poverty by the end of 2022.

The international financial organisation made the projection in its latest Nigeria Development Update (NDU), released on Tuesday.

The report, titled ‘The continuing urgency of business unusual’, said inflation in Nigeria, already one of the highest in the world before the war in Ukraine, is expected to increase further as a result of the rise in global fuel and food prices caused by the war.

“And that, the World Bank estimates, is likely to push an additional one million Nigerians into poverty by the end of 2022, on top of the 6 million Nigerians that were already predicted to fall into poverty this year because of the rise in prices, particularly food prices,” the report reads.

According to the bank, Nigeria is in a paradoxical situation where growth prospects have improved but inflationary and fiscal pressures have also increased considerably, leaving the economy much more vulnerable.

The situation, it said, is because of the ballooning cost of gasoline subsidies at a time when oil production continues to decline.

“Hence, Nigeria, for the first time since its return to democracy, and alone amongst major oil exporters, is unlikely to benefit fiscally from the windfall opportunity created by higher global oil prices,” the World Bank warned.

Speaking on the report, Shubham Chaudhuri, World Bank country director for Nigeria, said:

“When we launched our previous Nigeria Development Update in November 2021, we estimated that Nigeria could stand to lose more than three trillion naira in revenues in 2022 because the proceeds from crude oil sales, instead of going to the federation account, would be used to cover the rising cost of gasoline subsidies that mostly benefit the rich. Sadly, that projection turned out to be optimistic.

“With oil prices going up significantly, and with it, the price of imported gasoline, we now estimate that the foregone revenues as a result of gasoline subsidies will be closer to five trillion naira in 2022.

“And that five trillion is urgently needed to cushion ordinary Nigerians from the crushing effect of double-digit increases in the cost of basic commodities, to invest in Nigeria’s children and youth, and in the infrastructure needed for private businesses small and large to flourish, grow and create jobs.”

The World Bank said Nigeria’s growing macroeconomic challenges in 2022 has shown the need for the continuing urgency of a departure from business as usual, and the need for consensus around a package of robust reforms.

To reduce inflation, lessen fiscal pressures, and attract investment for jobs, the bank recommended three policy priorities for the Nigerian government.

“Reducing inflation through a sequenced and coordinated mix of exchange rate, trade, monetary, and fiscal policies including the adoption of a single, market-responsive exchange rate,” the bank said.

“Addressing mounting fiscal pressures at the federal and sub-national levels by phasing out the petrol subsidy (estimated to cost up to five trillion naira in 2022) and redirecting fiscal resources to investments in infrastructure, education, and health services; increasing ‘pro-health taxes’ and improving tax compliance.

“Catalyzing private investment to boost job creation by improving the transparency of key government-to-business services and eliminating trade restrictions.”

Some gunmen have invaded the Celestial Church of Christ, SBJ Oshofa at Wasimi in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, and abducted two worshippers.  

The victims are, an Assistant Shepherd of the parish, Oluwaseun Ajose and a Sunday school teacher, Dagunro Ayobami.

It was gathered that the hoodlums numbering four, stormed the church around 11pm on Monday, and took away the two worshippers.

A source said the church is located at an isolated area, which allowed the hoodlums operated unhindered.

It was gathered that a joint security team of the police and local vigilantes  have been combing the forest in area in search of the abductees.

Shepherd of the parish, Oluwatomisin Ehuwaojomo on Tuesday confirmed the incident.

He also confirmed the kidnappers have reached out to the church  and demanded N50 million ransom.

Ehuwaojomo said, “When my assistant called me almost two hours after they left, the kidnappers initially refused to speak with me but on his third attempt, they spoke with me and requested for N50 million ransom.

“I told them that, I am a servant of God and I don’t receive salary. I have spoken to the commissioner of police and they are on it.”

The State Police Spokesperson, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said he had not been briefed on the incident.

He, however, promised  to get back

 

There was palpable tension in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Tuesday, following an alleged attack by hoodlums on innocent drivers, passengers and residents around the Area one in Garki.

The hoodlums were said to have gone berserk and attacking vehicles using dangerous weapons around Area 1 and Area 3 axis in the nations capital.

The action of the hoodlums which was contained in a WhatsApp message circulated to individuals and groups, sent fears to residents especially those who have their businesses and children schooling in the area.

A media crew from the African Independent Television(AIT), deployed to cover the protest escaped death by the whiskers as the protesters upon sighing the crew pounced on them forcing them to abandon their vehicle and run for their lives. One of the journalists is said to be missing at the time of filing this report as efforts to reach him on his mobile phone has proved abortive.

The WhatsApp message which began to circulate at about four o’clock reads; “Avoid Area 1. Now classes damaging cars slashing through skins”.

But in a swift response, FCT police command, described what happened at area one as “brief unrest”, at the Internally Displaced Persons(IDP), camp in Durumi, and warned rumors mongers to stop peddling fake news.

Acting public relations officer for the command Oduniyi Omotayo, who made this known while responding to the journalists question over the unrest on the command media platform, said the police has since restored law and order to the area.

Oduniyi who promised to issue a statement in the matter said “Brief unrest erupted at the IDP camp at Durumi, the police responded swiftly to restore normalcy. An investigation is ongoing to ascertain the cause and effect of the unrest.

“While members of the public are urged to go about their lawful duties without fear and molestation from any quarters, we strongly advise rumor mongers to stop exaggerating the incident to a degree putting the territory in apprehension. Monitoring and surveillance continue on the scene”.

 

 

 

Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has revealed that Nigeria lost at least $2.5 billion (about N1.25 trillion) in the maintenance of its aircraft to foreign Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facilities in 2021.

Speaking on Tuesday in Abuja at the inaugural National Aviation Conferences (FNAC) organised by FAAN with the theme: ‘Advancing the Frontiers of Possibilities for Safe, Secure and Profitable Air Transport,’ Managing Director of FAAN, Rabiu Yadudu, said that such capital flight would have been saved if the country had MRO facilities that could adequately cater for all types of aircraft.

To typically carry out C-check on Boeing 737 aircraft or its category, airlines spend at least $1.8 million and C-check is carried out on aircraft every 18 months.

Yadudu said that Nigeria’s potential in the global air transport industry is underutilised as Nigeria has the largest fleet of aircraft within the subregion.

”It was reported that Nigeria lost $2.5 billion (about N1.25 trillion) in MRO investments to neighbouring countries. Having such investments here would have created more employment opportunities for Nigerians, revenue generation and training of technical personnel for maintenance of aircraft,” he said.

”The interlink and value chain between the air transport, tourism and hospitality industry for economic growth cannot be over-emphasised. Today, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, London bridge, Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa, the British Museum in the United Kingdom, etc, have all been consciously developed into major tourist attractions that drive passenger traffic to those destinations and by implication attract businesses and generate employments for the locals and foreigners alike,” he said.

Earlier, Sirika in his goodwill message, disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari would at any moment from now sign into law the passed Civil Aviation Bill by the National Assembly.

He assured that with the president’s assent to the bill, the Nigerian aviation industry would grow rapidly, while more opportunities would also be created for all stakeholders and investors.

He pointed out that the Aviation Industry Roadmap as approved by the Federal Government was intentionally fashioned after the Public-Private Participation (PPP) model with the plan to grow the entire sector.

He challenged investors to tap into the myriads of opportunities in the sector, especially with the recently approved 12,000 hectares of land for implementation of the aviation roadmap by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Some of the aviation roadmaps include MRO, Aviation Leasing Company, National Carrier, Aerospace University, Airport Concession and Aerorropolis amongst others.

“We are ready to pursue all the components of the roadmap. Every part of the roadmap has reached advanced stages and all would be delivered before the end of this administration. The aviation industry in Nigeria is a goldmine, but it is still a virgin.

”Globally, the core variables that sustain the aviation industry are safety and security. We must continue to sustain these in the country,” he stated.