BY Elizabeth Ogunbamowo
Residents of Mpu community in Aninri LGA of Enugu state shut their market over the weekend in solidarity with Ike Ekweremadu, former deputy senate president.
The former deputy senate president and Beatrice, his wife, are facing charges bordering on conspiracy to arrange/facilitate the travel of another person with a view to exploitation, namely organ harvesting.
The couple was arrested by the London Metropolitan Police in June and appeared before a magistrate court in July.
Ekweremadu’s wife was granted bail on July 22, while the lawmaker’s application was denied.
During a one-day prayer summit organised by the leadership of the community, residents prayed for divine intervention over the case.
The community also appealed to the federal government to intervene in the situation, adding that Ekweremadu’s detention points to “injustice”.
According to the community, the Nigerian government would not have treated a UK member of parliament in the same manner.
Francis Oshimiri-Ude, president-general of the community, said Ekweremadu had saved so many lives by his acts of philanthropy, adding that “water appears to be sticking between his teeth for trying to do the same for his own daughter”.
“Senator Ekweremadu is our illustrious son. Without him, our world seems shattered. We know he didn’t commit any crime. This is a man with a heart of gold, who has transformed our communities and many communities in Enugu west and beyond,” Oshimiri-Ude said.
“So, those holding him should investigate his lifestyle from birth to know that he has good records; the reason we started giving leadership responsibilities even before he was 10 years old.
“He should be released unconditionally to rejoin his people and continue his good works, which he had been carrying out for over 20 years now.”
Nathaniel Nwankwo, pastor of Ancient Path Restoration Revival Assembly, who led the prayers, urged the people to put their faith in God.
“We are committing Mpu community primarily to God, thanking Him for the good things he has done for the land and asking for divine intervention in the trouble surrounding our brother, senator Ike Ekweremadu, who has been away from the shores of Nigeria since June 21, 2022, for an allegation that has no basis,” the cleric said.
On her part, Happiness Ajah, a woman leader in the community, said the community members are not protesting, but concerned about the situation.
“We are not protesting. As you can see, we have no placards. As mothers, we are concerned about Ike, the wife, and the sick daughter,” she said.
“The world should come to our aid. God should deliver our son for we know he is innocent. Many people that depended on him for survival are now helpless. No grants anymore for our farming activities; no one to pay or subsidise our children’s school fees and medical bills.
“You see, there are single individuals that when something happens to them, the entire community becomes helpless and comes crumbling. That is what Ikeoha is to the entire Mpu and Aninri. So, God, please help us.”
Traditional rulers across the community also called for the release of the lawmaker, adding that “we closed the market and shops to demonstrate the weight of anger in us over our brother’s incarceration in the UK”.
See photos below.
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