House of Representatives Urges Clemency for Ekweremadu, Wife and Doctor Convicted of Organ Harvesting
The House of Representatives has made an appeal to the Central Criminal Court and the government of the UK to show mercy in the sentencing of 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 was made during the Tuesday plenary through a motion titled, “Motion on the Need for Clemency for Senator Ike Ekweremadu” moved by the deputy minority leader of the House, Hon. Toby Okechukwu, under a matter of urgent public importance.
The sentencing is scheduled for May 5.
In presenting the motion, Okechukwu argued that Ekweremadu acted based on his limited knowledge of UK laws and that he has learned his lesson. He said, “Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a Nigerian citizen, serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, and former Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament and his wife, Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu, were tried and convicted by the Central Criminal Court, London, the United Kingdom (UK) for offences relating to the breach of the novel Modern Slavery Act 2015.”
“Senator Ike Ekweremadu acted within his limited knowledge of the UK laws and did write to the UK High Commission to support the medical visa application for the potential donor and did declare the purpose of the trip,” Okechukwu added.
He also stated that the couple acted out of natural instincts to save their ailing daughter and not for commercial purposes. Okechukwu emphasized that it is common practice in international relations for nations, including the UK, to seek relief for their citizens involved in situations such as that of the Ekweremadus.
The House of Representatives acknowledged the longstanding history and cordial ties between Nigeria and the UK and urged the Federal government to take all diplomatic steps and other necessary interventions regarding the travails of the Ekweremadu family.
Source: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/05/organ-harvest-temper-with-mercy-justice-reps-write-uk-govt-over-ekweremadu/
