The House of Representatives has asked the British judiciary to temper justice with mercy as the Central Criminal Court sentences a former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; his wife, Beatrice Ekweremadu; and UK-based Nigerian medical practitioner, Obinna Obeta on Friday It has also urged the Federal Government to take all diplomatic steps and other necessary interventions regarding the travails of the Ekwermadu’s family.
This is sequel to a motion by the Deputy Minority Leader, Toby Okechukwu, during the House plenary on Tuesday. Okechukwu said it is a common practice in international relations for nations, including the United Kingdom, to seek relief for their citizens involved in situations such as that of the Ekweremadus.
Seconding the motion, a member from Lagos state, Jomoh Abdul, urged the federal government to treat the matter as a Nigerian problem. The lawmaker urged the UK Government to take cognisance of both the intention of the Ekweremadus and the predicaments of their ailing daughter, who still needed the financial support and parental love of her parents to survive. Summing up the debate, the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, who clarified that the House was not intent on absolving the Ekweremadus but to plead for clemency.
Chidozie Chima | September 12, 2024
