The Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele has asked the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to deploy a diplomatic shuttle to ensure the release of Senator Ike Ikweremadu from prison in the United Kingdom, UK.
Ekweremadu, a former Deputy Senate President, was sentenced to nine years and eight months in prison by the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, UK over an offence of organ trafficking on May 5, 2023.
The court also jailed Ekweremadu’s wife, Beatrice, for four years and six months while a doctor who allegedly colluded with them, Obinna Obeta, was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Speaking at the valedictory session of the 9th Senate on Saturday in Abuja, Bamidele, who represents Ekiti Central Senatorial District, said what happened to Ekweremadu could happen to any parent, thereby calling on President Tinubu to deploy all the necessary diplomatic shuttle for the release of the outgoing Enugu lawmaker in the UK prison.
He said: “My heart goes to that gentleman distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu, what happened to him is something that could have happened to any parent.
“It is our own call to President Bola Tinubu that the administration should resume all the necessary diplomatic shuttle to ensure that Senator Ike Ekweremadu is released.”
Bamidele also mourned four Senators who died while serving the people of their Senatorial districts in the National Assembly, namely, Senators Bayo Osinowo from Lagos, Rose Oko (Cross River), Benjamin Uwajumogu (Imo) and Ignatius Longjam from Plateau State, respectfully.
