Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, the senator for Ekiti Central, has urged President Bola Tinubu to send a diplomatic shuttle to secure Sen. Ike Ekweremadu’s release from a prison in the United Kingdom. Ekweremadu is a member of the PDP from Enugu.
In his speech during the closing ceremony for the 9th Senate’s departing senators, he made the decision.
Recalled Ekwremadu, a former vice president of the senate, received a nine-year prison term for trafficking organs in May.
The Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, UK, administered the sentence.
What occurred to Ekweremadu, according to Opeyemi, who is also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights, and Legal Matters, could have happened to any parent.
“My heart goes to that gentleman distinguished Sen. Ike Ekweremadu,” he said.
He urged Tinubu to use all available diplomatic channels to secure Ekwremadu’s release.
Four senators who passed away while representing the interests of their senatorial districts in the National Assembly were also lamented by Bamidele.
They are Sens. Ignatius Longjam (Plateau South), Sen. Benjamin Uwajumogu (Imo North), Sen. Rose Oko (Cross River North), and Sen. Bayo Osinowo (Lagos East).
He also expressed his gratitude to Ahmed Lawan, the President of the Senate, for giving him the chance to chair the committee on judicial, human, and legal concerns.
“On behalf of all of us in the committee, it was a wonderful opportunity you gave us to add value.
“Under your watch, our committee participated in the passage of very important bills.
“Our committee was also responsible for the speedy confirmation of two Chief Justices of Nigeria and President Court of Appeal and five other Chief Judges of different courts in this country.
“Nigeria’s story is not going to be the same under the new administration and I call on all of us to continue to work.
“President Tinubu signed a bill that is important to us on the retirement age of our judg
“Under your watch, the budget of the judiciary was increased geometrically from N95 billion in 2018; N110 billion in 2021; N120 billion in 2022 and 125 billion in 2023.
“It is not yet uhuru. I know the incoming senate will also do more from where you are living this baton.”
