Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah has disclosed that efforts are underway to facilitate the return of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, from the United Kingdom to Nigeria to serve the remainder of his prison sentence.
Mbah said the state government was engaging relevant Nigerian authorities to explore arrangements that would allow Ekweremadu to return home while continuing to serve his sentence.
The governor disclosed this during an interview with BBC Igbo, where he described the circumstances that led to Ekweremadu’s imprisonment as a tragedy that could happen to any parent.
Ekweremadu was sentenced to prison in the United Kingdom after being convicted of conspiring to facilitate the travel of a young man to Britain for the purpose of harvesting his kidney for his daughter, Sonia, who had a kidney condition.
Speaking about the former lawmaker’s situation, Mbah said the government remained in contact with him and was appealing to Nigerian authorities to work with their British counterparts to facilitate his return.
He said, “What happened is a test. We are still in touch with him. We are among those who are asking the Nigerian authorities to find out how they and England can ensure that Ekweremadu stays in Nigeria to serve the full sentence if they want him to stay in prison. We hope that he will be released soon.”
The governor also expressed sympathy for Ekweremadu, arguing that parents facing serious health challenges involving their children could understand the desperation to save their children’s lives.
“If you have never had a child of your own, you will never fully understand what a father will do to save or help his child during a time of health crisis,” he said.
