Nigerians are still baffled by the shocking events surrounding the arrest of a former deputy senate president of Nigeria, Ike Ekwerenmadu and his wife, Beatrice, in the United Kingdom.
Mr Ekwerenmadu was arrested yesterday by the Metropolitan police in the UK for an alleged organ harvesting offence.
A letter however surfaced in an attempt to prove Ekwerenmadu notified the UK government of a request to facilitate a visa for a boy who was coming as a kidney donor for his daughter.
Part of the visa medical application reads “I am writing in support of the visa application made by Mr Ukpo Nwamini David who is currently having medical investigations for a kidney donation to Ms Sonia Ekweremadu.”
“David and Sonia will be at the Royal Free Hospital London, and I will be providing the necessary funding. I have enclosed a statement of the bank account.”
According to some reports, the boy whose organ was going to stand as a kidney donor was only 15 years old, contrary to 21 years old which Ekweremadu had claimed while processing the visa.
The Nigerian government is yet to release any official statement on the scandal, likewise the Nigerian senate.
What is on the lips of many Nigerians is how a Nigerian lawmaker is involved in such an offence. The scandal has elicited reactions from different individuals, politicians and interest groups.
While some are condemning the Ekweremadu and his wife based on the allegations, others are calling for caution on the matter, stating that the senator can only remain innocent until proven guilty.
Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party sent prayers to Ekweremadu’s daughter in his tweet this morning.
He tweeted, “My family and I are with the Ekweremadu’s over their travail. We join all men of goodwill in praying for the healing of their daughter and commit them into God’s hand for justice to be done. -PO”
My family and I are with the Ekweremadu’s over their travail. We join all men of goodwill in praying for the healing of their daughter and commit them into God’s hand for justice to be done. -PO
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 24, 2022
Dino Melaye, a former Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial district took to his Twitter page to post the letter and affirm his support for the former deputy senate president.
Mr Maleye says “Sen. Ike Ekweremadu notified the British authorities on his trip with the said boy. I stand with Ike.”
Sen. Ike Ekweremadu notified the British authorities on his trip with the said boy. I stand with Ike pic.twitter.com/w7xIvD5hmr
— Senator Dino Melaye. (SDM) (@_dinomelaye) June 23, 2022
Reno Omokri, a former aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan took to his Twitter page showering prayers for the Ekwerenmadus
He wrote “May God be with the Ekweremadus at this their hour of travail. May God help their daughter, Sonia, find a donor. May the young man involved find peace. Trials come in life, but God is our shelter. Our ever-present hope. May God bring healing to this situation. In Christ’s Name”.
Reports also have it that the UK Attorney General is considering whether to try Ekweremadu in Nigeria or the UK.
Since Ike wrote a letter to the UK Govt for permission. He will overcome.
Why? You cannot make a binding contract with a minor if the boy is indeed 15 years old.
The UK is not Nigeria, the land of ANYHOWNESS. The Ekweremadus will get their day in an open and public court, with a presumption of innocence until proven otherwise beyond a reasonable doubt.
Which God is Dino malaye and others shameless vampire calling?my heart can only pray for ekweremadu daughter for God solution and divine recovery as i wish no parents goes through such.but Ike ekweremadu,y lying about the boy age?y going 4 a minor intead of mature person?y going for the venerable? If ekweremadu has use his position to legislate or build a good hospital, what will have taken him to London?finally those dates claim to pity ekweremadu,s without much delay sent ur child to go and donate to save Sonia life.stop shading croz tears.
The UK government should not allow Ekweremmadu to go Scott free, this is the evil Nigeria politicians have been perpetrating, they value their dogs more than poor masses . The UK government should not allow Ekweremmadu to be tried in Nigeria judicial system, because Nigeria criminal Justice system is decayed and is fully corrupt. The poor cannot receive Justice in Nigeria.
Nigeria law is for the protection of the rich and the privileged ones in the society in expense of the poor masses. Nigeria is a place or country where the rights and interest of the minority cannot be recognized. the politicians here can never think for the good of their citizens but for their selfish interest only. This is a pure evidence of man inhumanity to man in Nigeria. The man in question has occupied the senatorial position for more than sixteen years now but has nothing good to show for his people. I know that after this write up they will come after me because freedom of speech is not guaranteed in Nigeria but I have to unreservedly air my view irrespective of what their nefarious action will cause to me. Ones More Uk government should not allow him and his cohort to be tried in Nigeria. Thanks
Without prejudice, the reality is that virtually ALL Nigerians only think of their own or family’s or tribe’s “selfish interest only”! Let’s not pretend as if this an affliction only befalling politicians. After all, those politicians are not from Mars but from among us!
Nairametrics, why do you seem to be expect the Nigerian government or Senate to issue an official statement on a PRIVATE criminal matter?
I am not surprised about the blind support of Ekweremadu’s actions by his fellow politicians, including Peter Obi who skillfully and conveniently avoided the main issue here, which is the under-age status of the prospective donor. An under-aged person does not have the capacity to make such a life changing decision yet, Even the boy’s parents cannot make this decision on his behalf. But, yes, most of us sympathize with the family over their daughter’s serious ill health, but the senator should have sought the required organs from a mature donor. His political friends should have pointed this out in their messages, as well.