Ekweremadu: Lawyer seeks King Charles’ intervention
Kayode Ajulo, a constitutional lawyer, has written to King Charles III, pleading for a Prerogative of Mercy for former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice, following their conviction by a British court.
Ajulo made the request in a letter to King Charles III, which was made available to journalists in Abuja on Saturday.
Pay Attention to: Ekweremadu’s daughter, Sonia opens up on conviction of her Father and Mother
An Old Bailey Court sentenced Ike, his wife, and doctor, Obinna Obeta, to 9 years, 4 years, and 10 years in prison, respectively, for violating British laws on kidney donation and transplant.
“Your Majesty, though energised by your coronation, I witnessed it with mixed feelings.”
“Ekweremadu and his wife have been convicted and sentenced accordingly, and I respectfully and mercifully request that you invoke the Royal Prerogative of Mercy in their favour,” he said.
He described Ekweremadu and his wife’s story as sad, leaving a bitter taste in the mouth.
He described their actions as a “desperate” attempt by parents to save their daughter Sonia’s life.
According to Ajulo, the lady in question was in desperate need of a kidney transplant, but her parents and doctor went about the mission in the most unsavoury of ways.
He explained that Ekweremadu may have chosen not to publicly advertise for a kidney donor in order to avoid con artists who might take advantage of his daughter’s illness.
Meanwhile, Sonia Ekweremadu, the daughter of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, said she feels guilty because her parents were convicted while trying to find a solution to her health problem.
This was stated by Ekweremadu’s daughter in an interview with newsmen on Friday.
In March 2023, a UK jury found Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice, and a doctor, Obinna Obeta, guilty of criminal conspiracy to bring a 21-year-old Lagos street trader to London to exploit him for his kidney.
The young man was said to have falsely presented himself as Sonia’s cousin in an unsuccessful attempt to persuade doctors to perform an £80,000 private procedure at London’s Royal Free Hospital.
On Friday, an Old Bailey Court sentenced all three of them to prison.
Also Read: “Not My King” people say as protest rocks King Charles III coronation (Video)
Ekweremadu was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison, Beatrice to four years and six months, and “middleman” medical doctor Obeta to ten years.
However, Sonia, who is currently undergoing dialysis and was on trial alongside her parents, was acquitted.
Sonia and her siblings were surprised when the police knocked on their door and explained their mission.
Sonia stated that she disagreed with her parents’ conviction.
“I understand the conviction,” she said, “but I personally disagree with it.” That is obviously from a biassed standpoint as their daughter; I will always support my parents.
Thanks for using our platform to learn about the latest Naija News on Ekweremadu: Lawyer seeks King Charles’ intervention
