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Organ harvesting: Reps write UK govt, plead for Ekweremadus
Organ harvesting: Reps write UK govt, plead for Ekweremadus
The House of Representatives has pleaded with the UK government and parliament to intervene in the case of organ harvesting against Nigeria’s former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu and his wife, Beatrice.
The House in a letter also asked the UK court handling the case to “temper justice and mercy” in the sentencing of the Ekweremadus.
They urged the Federal Government to take diplomatic steps to intervene in the matter.
They stated these in a resolution passed at the plenary session on Tuesday following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Toby Okechukwu, a lawmaker from Enugu State.
The lawmakers asked the clerk of the House to convey their resolutions in writing to the British embassy, the UK government and the parliament.
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Ekweremadu is expected to be sentenced on May 5 at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey.
According to Okechukwu, although ignorance is not an excuse, the court should take into consideration that Ekweremadu has not been convicted before and has been a responsible citizen of Nigeria.
The Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, said, “It behoves on any government to plead for clemency when their citizens are in such a situation.”
He said he had known Ekweremadu for years and that the lawmaker had been a patriotic citizen.
The speaker said it was a “terrible shock” when he heard the charges against Ekweremadu.
“For 24 years, Ekweremadu has served the country with vigour. He has used his office to champion democracy,” Gbajabiamla said.
He said the court should consider his “honourable living and distinguished service” in Nigeria, adding that he had learnt from his experience.
How it all stated
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Ekweremadu and his wife were arrested in June 22 and charged for allegedly taking a 21-year-old man to the UK for organ harvesting.
The senator has been in custody since then, but his wife was granted bail in July 2022.
They were later found guilty of organ trafficking in March 2023.
Their daughter, Sonia, was however cleared of the charges.
The verdict was the first of its kind under the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015.
Under the Act, organ harvesting is punishable with a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
During the trial, the couple apologised for claiming that the would-be kidney donor was a relative.
The prosecutor, Hugh Davies, told the court the Ekweremadus and Obeta had treated the man and other potential donors as “disposable assets – spare parts for reward”.
Organ harvesting: Reps write UK govt, plead for Ekweremadus
metro
Sokoto governor axes 15 district heads over insecurity, others
Sokoto governor axes 15 district heads over insecurity, others
Sokoto State Government has sacked nine district heads for allegedly aiding insecurity and encouraging land racketeering.
The state government also sacked another six district heads said to have been irregularly appointed by the immediate past government of the state.
Abubakar Bawa, the Press Secretary to Governor Ahmed Aliyu, announced this while briefing newsmen on the development on Tuesday.
Those axed over alleged insecurity are the district heads of Unguwar Lalle, Yabo, Wamakko, Tulluwa, llela, Dogon Daji, Kebbe, Alkammu and Giyawa.
Bawa said the six district heads were dropped because of the way they were haphazardly appointed and their rejection by their people.
The affected six district heads are Marafan Tangaza, Sarkin Gabas Kalambaina, Bunun Gongono, Sarkin Kudun Yar Tsakkuwa, Sarkin Tambuwal and Sarkin Yamman Torankavwa.
“The cases involving District Heads of Isa, Kuchi, Kilgori and Gagi have been re commended for further investigations,” Bawa added.
However, Sarkin Yakin Binji, senior counselor in the Suktanate Council, was transferred to Nabunkari while the District Head of Sabon Birni was deployed to Gatawa.
Bawa said this followed the recommendations of the Committee on the Review of the appointments of Traditional rulers, Renaming of Tertiary Institutions and the Dissolution of Governing Boards of State Parastatals.
metro
Passengers overpower bandits in Zamfara
Passengers overpower bandits in Zamfara
In a courageous act, the family of a bride-to-be and a group of passengers thwarted a kidnapping attempt by killing a terrorist in Zamfara State.
PRNigeria reports that the incident unfolded when the family of the bride-to-be and other travellers were ambushed by bandits along the Talata Mafara-Gusau highway.
The bride’s family had embarked on a journey to purchase clothing and other wedding materials in Kano. However, their plans took a harrowing turn when armed bandits targeted them.
An eyewitness, who spoke to PRNigeria, revealed that the response was spontaneous once the bandits had selected their victims.
Despite one of the bandits managing to escape, the brave passengers captured two AK-47 rifles.
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Narrating how the events unfolded, the eyewitness said: “A few kilometres away from the Fangal Tama checkpoint, the travellers heard gunshots echoing all around.
‘’To their shock, they encountered two well-armed bandits on motorcycles, blocking the road and halting vehicles.
“The bandits immediately ordered the young woman (the bride-to-be), her father, mother, and two other relatives to exit their car.
‘’With guns pointed at them, the terrified family members were coerced to follow the bandits into the nearby forest.
“Realising the grave danger they faced in forced abduction, the passengers decided to act swiftly. They rallied together and launched an attack on one of the two bandits.
‘’In a fierce struggle, they managed to overpower him, resulting in his instant death. The other bandit, however, escaped, leaving behind his firearm.
“The courageous group retrieved the two guns and emerged from the forest. They promptly handed the weapons over to the military at a nearby checkpoint.’’
Passengers overpower bandits in Zamfara
metro
BREAKING: EFCC freezes 300 illegal forex accounts
BREAKING: EFCC freezes 300 illegal forex accounts
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has frozen 300 illegal forex accounts trading on a peer-to-peer platform.
The EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, revealed that the accounts were suspended on Monday following a court order.
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Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Olukoyede explained that over $15bn passed through one of the forex platforms in the last one year, outside the financial regulations.
He said the EFCC action was taken to ensure the safety of the foreign exchange market and protect the economy.
BREAKING: EFCC freezes 300 illegal forex accounts
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