Ebonyi State Government Support for Ike Ekweremadu, A Shameful Act
I read with deep regret and shame, the press statement released by Bar. Uchenna Orji, the Commissioner for Information in Ebonyi State, addressing the unfortunate incident involving alleged organ harvesting by former Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Ike Ekweremadu and an Ebonyi indegine, David Ukpo Nwamini.
In this unfortunate press statement, the Honourable Uchenna Orji stated on behalf of Ebonyi State Government that they stand with Senator Ike Ekweremadu. This is not minding the fact that the boy involved in this unfortunate saga is from Ebonyi State and that investigation into this matter is still ongoing.
One would have expected that the State Government would maintian silence on the matter until they have reached out to the Nwamini family, learn the true situation, their involvement (if any) in the process and await final investigation by the British Police and possibly the security agencies in Nigeria, including NAPTIP.
To have released a statement so quickly, just few days after this information came to light and to state publicly that they stand with Ike Ekweremadu, show not just how incompetent the advisors of Governor Umahi are but the low level of empathy and state of mind of the Ebonyi government.
To be clear, some of us learned about the young man, his family, village including getting someone to speak with him and also his father, the very day the news hit the airwaves. We know his side of the story. We decided not to share these information publicly nor cast aspersion on either sides because this is a matter under investigation.
While one understands the difficult situation the Ekweremadus are in, especially as the life of a loved one is involved, it is also important to note that someone who is to donate an organ ought to be related to the patient or have had previous relationship with the family prior to the agreement to donate and must not be paid for it – Ike Ekweremadu ought to know this, being one with knowledge of the law. It is also important to note that if David Nwamini was not a minor, there should be a contract between the two parties and a written statement made by him to the UK Commission before proceeding for visa.
If age is the nexus for measuring his culpability, it is also insignificant to argue that he is of age based on the information in his passport because it was possible this passport was procured for the purpose of this process and his age must have been altered. One would expect that investigators would know when his bank account was opened and when his passport was procured and compare the dates.
So until these investigations are concluded, Ebonyi State Government ought to reach the Nwamini family, carry out their own investigation, find a way to reach David in the UK and understand his condition and state of mind before standing with their friend and political ally, Senator Ike Ekweremadu. By issuing this statement, the government of Ebonyi State has once again, reduced itself before the eyes of its citizens. The implication is that the citizens would be skeptical to trust the government going forward.
The citizens of Ebonyi expects that this statement be withdrawn and the Honourbale Uchenna Orji made to resign from his position as Commissioner for Information.
May God save young Ebonyians from the hands of a government meant to protect them.
Obinna Udenwe
Ebonyi Citizen
June 27, 2022
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