In response to the conviction of former Deputy Senate President of Nigeria, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has written to the Chief Clerk of the Central Criminal Court in London urging him to balance justice with mercy.
Recently, Ekweremadu and his wife—as well as the Nigerian physician Obinna Obeta—were found responsible for the attempted organ harvesting of a Nigerian who had been brought to London to serve as a kidney for their daughter.
However, Obasanjo stated in a letter dated April 3, 2023 and addressed to the Chief Clerk of the court with the subject line “Re: Ike Ekweremadu” that despite the fact that Ekweremadu’s action was unacceptable and condemned, he had made his fair share of contributions to the socio-political advancement of Nigeria. He also said that his punishment ought to take into account his previous good deeds and the plight of his sick daughter.
In part, Obasanjo‘s letter reads: “Mr. Chief Clerk, I am very much aware of the current struggles and conviction of Ike Ekweremadu and his wife in the United Kingdom as a result of their being charged with conspiring to arrange the travel of a 21-year-old from Nigeria to the UK in order to harvest organs for their daughter. I am aware of the consequences of what they did, and I dare assert that no normal or civilised society could allow anything so repugnant and abhorrent.
However, it is my sincere hope that for the sake of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the United Kingdom’s cordial relationship, as well as for the sake of the couple’s daughter, whose health is at risk and needs immediate medical attention, you will use your good offices to intervene and urge the court and the United Kingdom’s government to be benevolent in this matter.
“I do hope Mr. and Mrs. Ekweremadu have learned from this distressing experience of theirs to guide their future actions or inactions so they will continue to be outstanding members of their community and will continue to fully contribute to the good of the society in particular and the nation in general.”
