By Gift Chapi-Odekina
The House of Representatives has Urged the Federal government of Nigeria to take all diplomatic steps and other necessary interventions regarding the organ harvesting issue of the Ike Ekwermadu’s family.
The House equally appealed to the Central Criminal Court, UK and the government of the UK to temper justice with mercy in sentencing Senator Ike Ekweremadu and Mrs. Beatrice Ekweremadu.
The House resolutions followed a motion of urgent Public Importance on the “need for Clemency for Senator Ike Ekweremadu” moved by Hon. Toby Okechukwu on the floor of the House on Tuesday.
He said “Aware that 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.
“Aware that the sentencing of couple is scheduled for May 5, 2023.
Aware that 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 and did declare the purpose of the trip.
“Cognisant of the fact that Senator Ekweremadu and Mrs. Beatrice acted under the natural instincts of parents to save an ailing daughter, and not for commercial purposes.
“Aware that 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.
Also aware of the longstanding history and cordial ties between Nigeria and the UK.
“Cognisant that elder statesmen such as former Military Head of State and President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, have made a passionate plea for clemency, testifying also to Senator Ekweremadu’s character as a patriot, god-fearing, 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.
“Aware that several Nigerian national dailies have also joined the call for clemency for the Ekweremadus through their editorials.
“Cognisant of the predicaments of Ekweremadu’s ailing daughter, who needs the financial support and parental love of her parents to scale through her dire health challenge.
Aware that the Ekweremadus must have learnt their lessons” he said
The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila while ruling on the motion said ” For twenty-four years since the return to democratic governance in Nigeria, Ike Ekweremmadu has served the people of his community, his state and his country with vigour and dedication. For most of that time, he has been a member of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“He has used this office to advance the cause of democracy, champion critical reforms and advocate for the development of his constituency. Through his Ikeoha Foundation, he and his wife have helped provide access to quality education and healthcare for thousands of people in his community and his state. Their public service and private philanthropy have helped improve the social, economic and political fortunes of their communities and aided the personal and professional progress of many.
“None of this suggests that either Ike Ekweremadu or his wife should be above the law or held to a different standard than any other citizen. I recount these things to present a whole perspective so that in this moment of consequence, the judgment of the court may take into consideration the Ekweremadu’s history of honourable living and distinguished service, their contributions to a better world and the possibility that, given a chance, through the penitence of service, both Ike and his wife can yet atone for their failings and find forgiveness before God and man.
“The welfare of two young Nigerians lies at the heart of this case. I hope that after all this is done, Mr David Nwamini, the complaining witness, will go on to a long and productive life, free from the trauma of his recent travails. For Ms Sonia Ekeremadu, Ike’s young daughter, whose well-being necessitated the unfortunate actions that have now led to these terrible consequences for all involved, the nightmare of a dangerous diagnosis is compounded beyond measure by the real possibility that the two people most responsible for her care may shortly be committed to terms of punishment from which they will be unable to offer even a loving embrace when nothing else will do.
“Surely, it is within our means to live under the law and be just and merciful all at once. I urge the court to consider the noble acts of Ike Ekweremadu’s life and judge him on the totality of that life rather than solely on this last worst act. I am confident that Ike Ekweremadu and his wife have learned from their recent experiences and will be guided by their better angels for the rest of their days. If nothing else, for the sake of their ailing daughter, Sonia, let mercy temper justice for this family” he said.
End
[5/2, 6:33 PM] Christiana Ekpa NASS: Reps want FG to halt planned concession of Ajaokuta, Iron ore companies
By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives yesterday asked the Federal Government to suspend the ongoing process for the concession of the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and the National Iron Ore Mining Company for proper stakeholder consultations.
The House equally invited the Minister of Mines and Steel Development to appear before it in plenary session to explain details of the concession process.
These resolutions were sequel to adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, moved by Abdullahi Halims from Kogi state at plenary on Tuesday.
Moving the motion, the lawmaker said there was an advertorial by the Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel Development published on page 20 of the Punch Newspapers of Friday, April 21, 2023 and in other national dailies titled requesting qualification for the concession of the companies.
He said the steel industry remains the backbone of development meant to provide the basic raw materials for public infrastructure development in key sectors of the economy therefore very important in any meaningful efforts towards achieving economic prosperity and development of the nation as no economy can survive without its steel industry functioning optimally.
The lawmaker expressed worry that the eleventh hour request for the concession of these strategic national assets like the Ajaokuta Steel Company Limited and the National Iron Ore Mining Company at the twilight of the current administration, having left with less than 30 days to the end of an 8-year tenure seems to be self-serving, unpatriotic and not of national interest.
“Also worried about the timing of the concession arrangement, why now? why the hurry to concession such strategic national assets within a narrow window of less than six weeks? Why the rush to consummate a concession deal during this transitional period and not leave it for the incoming administration which stands inaugurated on the 29th of May 2023.
