The rank of eminent Nigerians urging the United Kingdom court to be lenient with the former deputy senate president, Mr. Ike Ekweremadu and wife, Beatrice, has swelled as the former governor of Kaduna State, Col. Abubakar Umar (retd) has joined former President Olusegun Obasanjo to make a case for the couple.
Recall that Obasanjo had written to the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, United Kingdom and the UK government to be lenient with Ekweremadu and wife in the case of organ harvesting for which they had been found culpable and awaiting sentencing on May 5.
In a letter dated April 3, 2023 and addressed to the Chief Clerk of the court, the former head of state said he had known Ekweremadu for many decades and catalogued Ekweremadu’s good deeds as a politician and in the service of humanity, qualities, which, according to him, qualify him (Ekweremadu) to deserve clemency of the UK government and the court.
He said he was aware of the enormity and implications of their action which he described as “unpleasant and condemnable” and “can’t be tolerated in any sane or civilised society.”
Giving his voice to the plea for clemency, Umar described Obasanjo’s letter as “timely and appropriate.”
He said although he has no personal relationship with Ekweremadu, he was convinced by Obasanjo’s attestation to former senate president’s good character.
“President Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter addressed to the UK court which convicted Senator Ekweremadu and his wife Beatrice pleading for clemency for the couple is timely and appropriate.
“I salute the great act of kindness and empathy by the elder statesman.
I do not know the Senator but am convinced of his good character as attested to by President Obasanjo who has earned a reputation in the resolution of international conflicts including being a member of the Eminent Persons Group which supervised the peaceful transition from Apartheid to majority rule in both South Africa and Zimbabwe.
“I pray the court grants President Obasanjo’s plea and temper justice with mercy in its sentence of Senator Ekweremadu, his wife and Obinna.
“May God heal their daughter, Sonia. May he protect and provide for the young man, Mr. David Nwamini,” Umar said.
Recall that the court convicted the couple and a doctor, Obinna Obeta on March 23 for orchestrating the travel of 21-year-old David Nwamini from Nigeria to the UK in order to harvest organs for the daughter of the Ekweremadus, Sonnia.
Recall the London Metropolitan Police arrested Ekweremadu and wife in June 2022 and charged them with conspiracy to traffic a child to the United Kingdom in order to harvest organs.
The police said the charges followed an investigation by the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime team and gave some details of the accused as follows:
*Beatrice Nwanneka Ekweremadu, 55 (10.9.66) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.
*Ike Ekweremadu, 60 (12.05.62) of Nigeria is charged with conspiracy to arrange/facilitate travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.
“The investigation was launched after detectives were alerted to potential offences under modern slavery legislation in May 2022,” the police said.
