The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Uche Ekwunife, PhD, has sought for the Nigerian Federal Government to employ all known diplomatic channels to negotiate for leniency for the convicted former deputy president of the Nigerian senate, Ike Ekweremadu, who is awaiting sentencing by the United Kingdom Court.
Ekwunife described the trials and conviction of the Enugu State-born lawmaker, his wife, Beatrice and their doctor, as a regrettable ordeal, though pardonable.
The Federal lawmaker, who recently visited Ekweremadu and the family in the UK, pleaded clemency for Senator Ekweremadu. She said that Ekweremadu needs our collective empathy and compassion and should not be abandoned at this time of distress.
“Senator Ekweremadu was the former No 4 citizen of Nigeria and he took up proper caution to ensure he saves the life of his ailing daughter, who is battling with kidney failure. It was established that the lawmaker wrote to the British Government and informed them about bringing a donor, if out of negligence he did not follow due process then the Federal Government should put all efforts through diplomatic strings to negotiate for leniency”, she noted.
Ekwunife further extolled the exemplary courage and intervention of the Nigerian former President, HE Olusegun Obasanjo, as well as other men and women of good conscience in soliciting for leniency for Ekweremadu. She urged Nigerians to learn from the ongoing case and always conduct themselves in good manners, for the good of the society and Nation-building.
In conclusion, the Chairman Senate Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation sympathized with Sonia Ekweremadu and wished for her speedy recovery in her battle with kidney failure.