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The House of Representatives He asked the government of the United Kingdom and the courts of that country to lower justice with mercy to Ike Ekweremadu, a Nigerian senator, accused of “organ trafficking” in March.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu) at plenary on Tuesday.
The House decided to ask the UK government and the court to temper justice with mercy in sentencing Mr Ekweremadu, a former deputy senate president, his wife and their doctor.
He also called on the Nigerian government to take all diplomatic steps and other necessary interventions regarding the plight of the Eweremadu family.
Background
Mr. Ekweremadu, the senator representing Enugu West Senatorial District, was arrested and charged by the MET Police last June for conspiracy to traffic a man whose name was later revealed to be David Nwamini (Ukpo) to the UK for the purpose of extracting his organ. treat the sick daughter.
He was tried alongside his wife, Beatrice, and a Nigerian doctor.
The trio argued that the man had voluntarily agreed to donate one of his kidneys to his ailing daughter. But they were found guilty in March by Westminster Magistrates’ Court, in what has been described as the first conviction of its kind under the Modern Slavery Act. They will be sentenced on May 5, but they have a 10-year prison sentence.
PREMIUM TIMES notify That Mr. Nwamini was not a minor, based on details provided by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). Westminster Magistrates’ Court last June
The motion
Moving the motion, Mr. Okechukwu, who is a close ally of Mr. Ekweremadu, said there is a need for a pardon based on public service.
He stated that the House “needs to know the circumstances of Ekweremadu’s sick daughter who needs her parents’ financial support and parental love to overcome her serious health challenge”.
Mr. Okechukwu added that “it is common in international relations for nations, including the United Kingdom, to seek relief for their citizens involved in situations like Eweremadus”.
Speaking in support of the motion, Jide Jimoh (APC, Lagos), said Mr. Ekweremadu has served the nation with merit, so the country should come to his aid.
“He has served this country with great merit with a very good record.
“Only God is merciful. We call on the UK government to be merciful in this situation so that the lawmaker is not jailed,” he said.
ALSO READ: UK court convicts Eweremadu, wife, of organ trafficking
Before ruling on the motion, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said the charges against Mr. Ekweremadu depart from the character of the man he has known for 24 years.
“It was a great luck. It is very far from the character of a man I have known for 24 years,” he said.
Mr. Gbajabiamila promised to write to the relevant authorities regarding Mr. Ekweremadu.
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