By Chinedu Adonu
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu State, Mr Chinedu Eya has made a passionate appeal to King Charles III for the release of Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
It could be recalled that Ekweremadu, his wife, Beatrice and a medical doctor, Obinna Obeta bagged different prison terms on Friday in the United Kingdom after being sentenced for organ harvesting.
Eya has now written a letter to the newly crowned King Charles III, begging him to use his Prerogative of Mercy and set the Ekweremadus and the doctor free.
The letter made available to journalists on Monday in Enugu was titled: ‘Appeal for Your Gracious and Merciful Invocation of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy For Ike Ekweremadu and wife, Beatrice over their conviction by a British Court’.
Eya wrote: “I wish to start this letter by congratulating Your Majesty on your coronation a few days ago, in the United Kingdom.
“Having said that, It is equally important to inform you that your coronation is coming on the heels of the sentencing of my dearest brother and Nigerian former deputy Senate President, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu, his wife and doctor, Obinna Obeta to 9 years, 4 years and 10 years, respectively in prison by an Old Bailey Court for violating British laws on kidney donation and transplant.
“The court’s action became so devastating to many of us in Enugu State and Nigerian in general because the lawmaker only got enmeshed in the whole controversy as a parent who was only desirous to save the life of his daughter, Sonia.
“Sonia, who is Ekweremadu’s daughter as I make this appeal, is still writhing in pain and living on daily medication (dialysis) in a bid to survive her debilitating health challenge which has eventually led to her parents’ conviction.
“The young lady was in dire need of a kidney transplant; unfortunately, her parents and their doctor went about the mission in the most unacceptable ways.
“Already, Ekweremadu and his wife have been convicted and sentenced accordingly.
“I write to seek for your gracious and merciful invocation of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy for Ike Ekweremadu and wife, Beatrice over their conviction by the British court.
“Senator Ekweremadu, before his conviction, was a priceless resource in Nigeria and Africa in general.
“He had served our federation as deputy Senate President, as well as functioned as speaker of ECOWAS parliament, where he contributed immeasurably to the development and stability of our democracy; hence the above appeal.”
Source: Vanguard
