A MAN and a woman have been charged with plotting to bring a child to the UK for the purposes of organ harvesting, London’s Metropolitan Police have said.
Beatrice Ekweremadu, 55, and Ike Ekweremadu, 60, both of Nigeria, have been charged with conspiring to arrange the travel of a child to the UK in order to harvest organs.
A child has been safeguarded and the Metropolitan Police is working with its partners to offer continued support.
The Ekweremadus have been remanded in custody were due to appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
An investigation was launched after detectives discovered potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May.
A Metropolitan Police statement said: ‘A woman and a man were charged today with conspiring to arrange the travel of a child into the UK in order to harvest organs.
‘The charges follow an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime team.
‘[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.
‘They have both been remanded in custody and will appear at Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court, [near London], later today [Thursday].