By CHARLES IWUOHA

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Mr Chinedu Eya, has sent a strongly-worded letter to King Charles III for the release of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, a former Deputy Senate President.

News Express had reported that Ekweremadu, his wife, Beatrice and a Medical Doctor, Obinna Obeta, bagged different jail terms on Friday last week in the United Kingdom (UK) after being convicted of organ harvesting.

Eya has now written a letter to the newly crowned King Charles III, begging him to use his Prerogative of Mercy and set the Ekweremadus and the doctor free.

A copy of the letter obtained by News Express on Monday in Enugu titled: “Appeal for Your Gracious and Merciful Invocation of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy For Ike Ekweremadu and wife, Beatrice over their conviction by a British Court’,” pleaded for leniency for the convicts.

Eya wrote: “I wish to start this letter by congratulating Your Majesty on your coronation a few days ago, in the United Kingdom.

“Having said that, it is equally important to inform you that your coronation is coming on the heels of the sentencing of my dearest brother and Nigerian former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, his wife and doctor, Obinna Obeta to 9 years, 4 years and 10 years, respectively, in prison by an Old Bailey Court for violating British laws on kidney donation and transplant.

“The court’s action became so devastating to many of us in Enugu State and Nigerian in general because the lawmaker only got enmeshed in the whole controversy as a parent who was only desirous to save the life of his daughter, Sonia.

“Sonia, who is Ekweremadu’s daughter, as I make this appeal, is still writhing in pain and living on daily medication (dialysis) in a bid to survive her debilitating health challenge which has eventually led to her parents’ conviction.

“The young lady was in dire need of a kidney transplant; unfortunately, her parents and their doctor went about the mission in the most unacceptable ways.

“Already, Ekweremadu and his wife have been convicted and sentenced accordingly.

“I write to seek for your gracious and merciful invocation of the Royal Prerogative of Mercy for Ike Ekweremadu and wife, Beatrice over their conviction by the British court.

“Senator Ekweremadu, before his conviction, was a priceless resource in Nigeria and Africa in general.

“He had served our federation as Deputy Senate President, as well as functioned as Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament, where he contributed immeasurably to the development and stability of our democracy; hence the above appeal.”