According to BBC NEWS, Beatrice Ekweremadu, the wife of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, has denied being involved in the donor search.

In the Old Bailey in London, Ekweremadu, 60, Beatrice, 56, their daughter Sonia, 25, and a medical “middleman,” Dr. Obinna Obeta, 50, are on trial for allegedly planning to use a young man as a donor by luring him to the country.

The mother of four denied knowing about discussions about seeking a donor for her daughter at the Old Bailey on Monday, March 13, 2023.

According to Nigerian tradition, Mrs. Ekweremadu told the jury that her husband was in charge of the home funds.

The jury was informed that Beatrice holds a PhD in accounting and previously worked full-time in the office of the Nigerian auditor general.

She said her domestic responsibilities included travelling to the UK every couple of weeks to visit her children at school and to pick them up for holidays.

Mrs Ekweremadu said Sonia first became unwell after she went home to Nigeria for the Christmas holidays in 2019.

Sonia returned to London to see a doctor at the Cromwell Hospital and then the Royal Free, jurors were told.

Defence barrister Anu Mohindru KC said: “There are text messages from your husband keeping you informed of what was happening. Is that something he would do?”

The defendant replied: “Yes. He tells me what he thinks I need to know.”

The barrister went on to inquire if Mr Ekweremadu had relayed his discussions with his medically trained brother Diwe.

Mrs Ekweremadu told jurors she regarded Diwe Ekweremadu as the family doctor but did not ask about it.

It is alleged Diwe’s former classmate, Dr Obeta, offered to help the family.

Mr Mohindru asked the defendant if she was involved in identifying any candidates, which Mrs Ekweremadu denied.

The Ekweremadus, who have an address in Willesden Green, north-west London, and Dr Obeta, from Southwark, south London, deny the charges against them and the trial continues. 

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