The Nigerian Senate is seeking for clemency ahead of the upcoming sentencing of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, following his conviction by a UK court over alleged kidney organ harvesting involving a 21 year old Nigerian.
The Senate’s resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion of privilege sponsored on wednesday by Senator Chukwuka Utazi.
Senator Utazi, in his presentation told the senate, although the sentencing of the Ekweremadus’ was shifted to 6th May, there was the need for clemency, given the good standing account of Ekweremadu.
He said Ekweremadu who was a former Deputy Senate President for 12 years, former Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament had made enormous contributions in the development of democracy in Nigeria, West Africa and beyond.
“Whereas they are seen as first offenders and they do not have any previous criminal records and considering that Ekweremadu was ignorant of seeking out a kidney donor to come to the United Kingdom and even applying to British Government in Abuja for a visa for the donor.
“Whereas the Senate is not happy on the conviction of the Ekweremadus’ and ignorance of the law is not an excuse but they were forced into this circumstances in a bid to save their dying daughter Sonia.
“This senate is not in any way appealing to the conviction of the Ekweremadus’ nevertheless it is joining them in their plea by asking for clemency in the coming sentencing two days away.
“That clemency may be extended to the Ekweremadus’ considering that all of the convicts are first offenders.
“That since the matter was in the United Kingdom, that a novel approach in sentencing of the convicts be adopted by tempering justice with mercy, as the publicity already given to the trial was enough warning to the would be offenders in the future.
“That considering the long history of good relationship existing between Nigeria and the British government and considering that this is the first time that the Senate is making this kind of plea on the British government to yield to our request for clemency for the Ekweremadus’ in their sentencing.”
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan said: “Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu served for 12 years as Deputy Senate President and he put in so much effort to the development of the Parliament across Africa, and in the world.
“He was not found wanting and so what has happened is very unfortunate.
N.O
