A UK court has ruled that David Ukpo, a purported kidney donor for the daughter of Ike Ekweremadu, a Nigerian senator, is not a minor.
The court directed that Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, remain in the custody of the London Metropolitan police until August 4, 2022, after denying them bail for the second time.
The Westminster Magistrate Court gave the order on Thursday, according to the British Broadcasting Corporation. The couple were arraigned at the Magistrate Court over their alleged involvement in organ harvesting. During the trial, they pleaded not guilty.
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Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram, however, remanded them in custody ahead of their next appearance at the Old Bailey.
The couple were arrested at Heathrow Airport on June 21 after arriving on a flight from Turkey. Ekweremadu is charged with conspiracy to arrange or facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, while his wife is charged with arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation.
