Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu
Beatrice, wife of Ike Ekweremadu, former deputy senate president, has denied involvement in the alleged search for a kidney donor for her ailing daughter.
The couple is standing trial alongside Sonia, their 25-year-old daughter, and one Obinna Obeta, a doctor residing in Southwark, South London, for allegedly transporting David Ukpo, a 21-year-old street trader, from Lagos to London to harvest his kidney.
Testifying during the court session on Monday, Beatrice said although her husband kept her informed about his plans regarding their daughter’s health, she never really asked for details.
Asked Anu Mohindru, defence counsel: “There are text messages from your husband keeping you informed of what was happening. Is that something he would do?”
Replied the defendant: “Yes. He tells me what he thinks I need to know”.
The attorney then asked if Ekweremadu had told her about his conversations with his medically trained brother, Diwe.
In response, Beatrice told jurors that she regarded Diwe as the family doctor but did not ask about it.
Mohindru asked the defendant if she was involved in identifying any candidate, which she denied.
Under cross-examination by the prosecution, Beatrice admitted to the jury that the family lied that the victim was Sonia’s maternal cousin.
Said she: “I’ve already said we’re sorry, but that’s not who we are”.
Asked the prosecution in trying to establish some details, while citing a November 1, 2021 message that her husband had forwarded to her: “What do you think about that message — about cost of hotel accommodation — was about?”
Answered the senator’s wife: “It’s self-explanatory. Somebody coming to help you should not use their money”.
She added that she trusted her husband’s sense of judgment.
Said she: “My husband is a good man and I’ve come to trust him”.
