The House of Representatives has called on the United Kingdom’s government and the judicial system in the country to temper justice with mercy in sentencing Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who was found guilty of “organ trafficking” in March.

The appeal came on the heels of a motion titled “Motion on the Need for Clemency for Senator Ike Ekweremadu” moved at Tuesday’s plenary by the deputy minority leader of the House, Toby Okechukwu under a matter of urgent public importance on the floor of the house.

Presenting the motion, Okechukwu noted that Ekweremadu acted based on his limited knowledge of the UK laws, stressing that he must have learnt his bitter lessons.

He said: “Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a Nigerian Citizen, serving Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, and former Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament and his wife, Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu, were tried and convicted by the Central Criminal Court, London, the United Kingdom (UK) for offences relating to the breach of the novel Modern Slavery Act 2015.
“The sentencing of the couple is scheduled for May 5, 2023.

“Senator Ike Ekweremadu acted within his limited knowledge of the UK laws and did write to the UK High Commission to support the medical visa application for the potential donor and did declare the purpose of the trip.

“Senator Ekweremadu and Mrs. Beatrice acted under the instincts of parents to save an ailing daughter, and not for commercial purposes.

“It is a common practice in international relations for nations, including the UK, to seek relief for their citizens involved in situations such as that of the Ekweremadus.

“The House is also aware of the longstanding history and cordial ties between Nigeria and the UK.

“Elder statesmen such as former Military Head of State and President, Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, have made a passionate plea for clemency, testifying also to Senator Ekweremadu’s character as a patriot, god-fearing, philanthropic and progressive citizen, who has served Nigeria and West Africa as former three-term Deputy President of the Senate as well as Deputy Speaker and Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament.

“Several Nigerian national dailies have also joined the call for clemency for the Ekweremadus through their editorials.

“The predicament of Ekweremadu’s ailing daughter, who needs financial support and parental love of her parents to scale through her dire health challenge.

“The Ekweremadus must have learnt their lessons”.

The sentencing of the former Deputy Senate President will be announced on May 5.

In a similar development, the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, parliament pleaded with a UK court to show mercy to Ike Ekweremadu and his wife.

In a letter addressed to the chief clerk of the central criminal court, Old Bailey, London, the speaker of the parliament, Sidie Tunis, said Ekweremadu contributed greatly to the ECOWAS parliament while he was the speaker of the third legislature.

“In view of all these, therefore, I wish to fervently appeal to the honourable court, on behalf of the ECOWAS parliament, for leniency in meting out justice to the couple.

“We understand the position of the law, but only appeal that the honourable court puts on a human face in this circumstance and temper justice with mercy, especially considering his good behaviour and contributions to the good of the society, the less privileged, and democracy.”