Former Aviation Minister, Osita Chidoka, recently visited his long standing friend and former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, in a London Prison where he is being held for alleged organ harvesting. He also attended the trial, at the London Criminal court, of Ekweremadu, his wife, Beatrice, and Sonia, his daughter in urgent need of a kidney transplant.
Moved by what he saw and learnt, the former Minister and ex-Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission, FRSC, has written a passionate plea to the Federal Government, asking the administration to intervene urgently in the matter.
Below is Chidoka’s moving piece, verbatim:
Chidoka with Beatrice and Sonia Ekweremadu during the visit to London
On Monday(February 6, 2023), I was at the London Criminal court to observe the trial of Ike, Beatrice, and Sonia Ekweremadu. Some weeks before I had visited him at Wandsworth Prison. He was in good spirits. Ike is a family friend, a close ally, and an associate. My prayers, thoughts, and good wishes are with them at this time.
We have known each other for the past 30 years when he was a grad student and part-time lecturer at the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus. His subsequent rise from Local Government Chairman to Deputy Senate President is a story for another day.
I listened carefully as the prosecution advanced its case before the jury but I will not comment further as the matter is before the court.
Chidoka, the Ekweremadus and some friends at the Central Criminal Court
What I find distressing is the refusal of the UK authorities to allow Sonia to get a kidney transplant despite a deluge of donors. I think the Nigerian government and we the citizens must call on the UK authorities to allow her to get a kidney transplant in furtherance of her fundamental right to life.
No matter the outcome of the case, Sonia deserves a chance to live.
I appeal to the Minister of foreign affairs to please intervene in this serious issue of a possible violation of her right to life by the UK government.
An intervention will save Sonia’s life and will be in line with global examples of countries intervening on behalf of their citizens.
I am impressed the Nigerian High Commission has been and still is present as an observer at the trial.
As for the current travails of the Ekweremadu family, I can only say: this too, shall pass.
