The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) revealed on Sunday that Nwamini David Ukpo, the young Nigerian at the center of an alleged organ harvesting case that led to the arrest of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, in the United Kingdom, is 21 years old.
The disclosure was made by NIS Comptroller General Isa Jere amid a controversy over Ukpo’s age, with some reports claiming he is 15 years old.
In a chat with some journalists, the NIS boss stated that the date of birth on the details submitted for verification is 12-10-2000, which matches the National Population Commission (NPC) birth certificate record, his National Identity Number (NIN) details, and the applicant’s letter of indigeneship.
Jere said: “The attention of the Service has been drawn to the trending issue in connection with an alleged case of age falsification on a Nigerian Standard Passport issued by Nigeria Immigration Service to a Nigerian who is alleged to be at the centre of an investigation of the case of “organ harvesting”.
“The Service wishes to set the record straight by informing the general public that the suggestions that it did not properly vet the breeder documents issued by the applicant during his passport application are not only off the mark, but mere fabrications aimed at tarnishing the image of the Service.”
On Tuesday, Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, were arrested at Heathrow Airport by the UK Metropolitan Police for alleged human trafficking and organ harvesting.
They were arraigned in Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Thursday, denied bail, and remanded in police custody until July 7.
