The House of Representatives has appealed to the United Kingdom Government and the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing a Nigerian Senator Ike Ekweremadu, found guilty in March of organ trafficking.
Penpushing reports that the appeal was sequel to a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu) on Tuesday during plenary, just as the London court set to sentence Ekeremade, his wife and a Doctor on May 5, 2023 following their conviction in March
The federal lawmakers also urged the Nigerian government to take all diplomatic steps and other necessary interventions regarding the travails of the Ekweremadu family in the foreign country
Penpushing further reports that, Okechukwu, a close ally of Ekeremadu while moving the motion said there is a need for clemency based on public service, noting that the House must take cognizant of the predicaments of Ekweremadu’s ailing daughter, who needs the financial support and parental love of her parents to scale through her dire health challenge.
‘it is a common practice in international relations for nations, including the United Kingdom(UK), to seek relief for their citizens involved in situations such as that of the Ekweremadus”, Okechukwu emphasized in the motion
Penpushing also reports that in similar vein, while speaking in support of the motion, a lawmaker of All Progressives Congress (APC) from Lagos State, Hon Jide Jimoh pointed out that Ekweremadu has served the nation meritoriously, hence, the country should come to his aid.
‘He has served this country meritoriously with a very good record. It is only God that is merciful. We are calling on the UK government to be merciful in this situation to ensure the lawmaker is not jailed’, he said.
Penpushing reports that Speaker of House of Representatives Rt, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila before ruling on the motion said the charges against Ekweremadu are a departure from the character of the man he has known for 24 years.
The Speaker lamented that it was a terrible shock, a far departure from the character of a man he has known for 24 years, with a promise to write to the relevant bodies in respect of the embattled Nigerian Senator.
Penpushing further reports that it is recalled that the former Deputy Senate President, representing Enugu West Senatorial District, was arrested and charged by Metropolitan Police last June for conspiracy to traffic a man.
The victim identified David Nwamini (Ukpo), was been transported to the United Kingdom(UK) by the Ekeredumas for the purpose of harvesting his organ to treat their ailing daughter, and the couple later arraigned alongside a Nigerian Doctor.
Penpushing also reports that the trio had argued that the man willingly agreed to donate one of his kidneys to the sick daughter, but they were found guilty in March by the Westminster Magistrate Court in what has been described as the first verdict of its kind under the Modern Slavery Act.
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