Following the incarceration of the former Senate President Ike Ekweremadu in the United Kingdom over alleged organ harvesting, Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Sidie Mohamed- Tunis, has written the Chief Clerk of the Central Criminal Court in the United Kingdom for leniency on his behalf.
Ekweremadu, who was the former Speaker in the third Parliament, 2011 to 2015 earlier served as First Deputy Speaker in the second legislature, 2007 to 2011, is now awaiting judgment after being found guilty of breaching UK laws relating to organ trafficking and modern slavery.
The letter written to the court on behalf of the parliament, notes that though the ECOWAS Parliament does not support organ harvesting in anyway and by any method, it believes that lessons have been learnt, not only by the Ekweremadus but by everybody and therefore, fervently appealed to the honorable court, on behalf of the ECOWAS Parliament, for leniency in meting out justice to the couple.
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Tunis said, he understands the position of the law, but only appealing for human face in the circumstance and that justice be tempered with mercy, considering his good behavior and contribution to the development of the society, the less privileged, and democracy.
He added that the former Speaker gives to charity work and is experienced in lawmaking both in Nigeria and internationally, as such very useful to his nation and the international community in public enlightenment as well as legal reforms campaign on organ trafficking to curtail such incidents drawing from his personal experience.
It will be recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo, had earlier written to the court appealing for leniency.
Tunis said Ekweremadu is highly appreciated in the sub-region for his sterling roles in the development of the Community Parliament in the preservation and stabilization of democracy.
As First Deputy, he chaired the Parliaments Ad Hoc Committee on the political situation in Niger and the Republic of Guinea, more over his efforts contributed immensely to resolving the impasses in the two ECOWAS member states as he visited almost every flashpoint, sometimes at his personal expense.
(Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe)
