Going through the record of a United Kingdom (UK) Magistrate’s Court, Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice denied allegations of human trafficking levelled against them by the Metropolitan Police in London.
According to a report allegedly culled from Daily Mail, lawyers – Gavin Irwin and Antonia Gray – to Ekweremadu and his wife were said to have spoken in favour of the accused apparently in a bid to get them admitted on bail.
The report which trended on social media was titled: “What Ekweremadu’s lawyers said.”
The report reads: “Mr Ekweremadu in his prepared statement denied allegations of human trafficking.
“‘He said at no stage has he arranged transport for anyone with intention to exploit them.’
“His wife similarly denied the allegations in her prepared statement, the court heard.
“Gavin Irwin, representing Ekweremadu, said: ‘There is no question this is a serious allegation. Mr Ekweremadu is a member of the Senate in Nigeria.
“‘He has previously held an even more senior role as deputy president of the senate.
“‘He is a member of the bar in Nigeria. He is a principal in a law firm that bears his name.
“’Those issues taken together go way beyond him being a person of good character…rather that he has led a blameless life as a public servant.’
“Mr Irwin added that the allegations were ‘nothing short of preposterous’.
“Antonia Gray, for Mrs. Ekweremadu, said: ‘She has never been complicit or involved in any alleged illegal trafficking of any young person.
‘She is a financial accountant with an unblemished record.’”