Ekweremadu: Nigeria’s Reps appeal to UK to temper justice with mercy
Nigeria’s House of Representatives has pleaded with the Central Criminal Court and the Government of the United Kingdom (UK) to temper justice with mercy in sentencing former deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu and Dr. Obinna Obeta who have been found guilty of organ harvesting.
The appeal came on the heels of motion titled, “Motion on the Need for Clemency for Senator Ike Ekweremadu” moved at Tuesday plenary by the deputy minority leader of the House, Hon. Toby Okechukwu under matter of urgent public importance.
Okechukwu said he moved the motion based on the long standing history and cordial ties between Nigeria and the UK. The sentencing will be announced May 5
The lawmaker also drew attention to what he described as Ekweremadu’s contributions to the Commonwealth of Nations and his innocent intention to save the life of his sick daughter, Sonia.
He said there should be back channels for diplomatic interventions.
With a broken voice and close to tears, Okechukwu insisted that former Deputy Senate President has come to the aid of many Nigerians in the past.
The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila spoke to the crown and pleaded for clemency for Ekweremadu, describing him as a good man with no prior convictions.
He asked the UK court to take into consideration the history of rightful living of Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice.
He also asked that consideration for their daughter be made, who is sick and would likely be away from her parents under whose care she is.
Back in March, Ekweremadu, his wife; and their doctor, Obinna Obeta were convicted for organ trafficking in the first verdict of its kind under the Modern Slavery Act.
Ekweremadu, 60; his wife, Beatrice, 56; and Dr Obinna Obeta, 51, were found guilty of facilitating the travel of a young man to Britain with a view to his exploitation after a six-week trial at the Old Bailey.
