Politics
Organ Transplant Case: Group Urges UK Govt To Pardon Ekweremadu
The Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council (NENYLC) has appealed to the British government to pardon Senator Ike Ekweremadu, former Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and former Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament on health grounds.
It also urged the United Kingdom Justice Ministry to discharge and acquit Ekweremadu and his wife of all pending criminal charges before the United Kingdom Court, as a result of the organ harvest controversy.
This was as members of the Council also paid their last respect to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Following the official announcement of her passing, Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Youth Leaders wrote a letter to the British High Commission in Abuja, paying glowing tributes to the late monarch.
The letter which was signed by the NENYLC secretary ( who is also the President, Yoruba Council of Youths Worldwide), Aare Barr. Oladotun Hassan read: “On behalf of all Nigerian youths the National Executives of the Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council (NENYLC) is pleased to specially commiserate with King Charles and the entire immediate Royal Family of the Queen of England, the good people of the United Kingdom over the recent demise of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.
“We pray for her Majesty’s eternal rest while using this medium to passionately appeal through your good office to the Government of the United Kingdom, most importantly the Prime Minister and the Justice Ministry to grant pardon for Senator Dr Ike Ekweremadu, former Deputy Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria/ former Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament, and wife.
“We seek to ensure discontinuance of the case of alleged organ harvesting against Ekweremadu through Nolle Prosequi application request on compassionate grounds, knowing fully well that he is battling kidney ailment even while in detention.
“We humbly request the UK Justice Ministry to discharge and acquit them of all pending criminal charges before the United Kingdom Court, as a result of the organ harvest allegation.
“We further appeal that pending our appeal’s approval for discontinuance and pardon, we seek your authorities to grant bail to Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who has been in detention for months now after he was charged alongside his wife for alleged organ harvesting, in favour of their daughter, who has been down with kidney(terminal) disease, and she is still appealing to the whole world, soliciting for a kidney donor.
“However, we remain thankful to the Justice Ministry that the wife, Mrs Beatrice Ekweremadu was granted bail, while the court ruled that the former Deputy Senate President was a flight risk.
“Senator Ike Ekweremadu is not just a former Deputy Senate President, but former Speaker, ECOWAS parliament, hence there is no way such a calibre of person would jump bail.
“We further plead with the UK court to reconsider its stand on this matter in order to avoid double jeopardy. Should Ekweremadu and his daughter die in the course of this case, it would have amounted to double jeopardy, while we are assured of his innocence based on his antecedents as a passionate and committed Nigerian.
“We are pleased to use this medium to appreciate your good office and Government of the UK’s uncommon landmark achievements in ensuring adequate security of lives and properties, protection of citizen’s fundamental rights and privileges accordingly, in consonance with the demands of the Nigerian Youths and noble vision of our organization.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has extended the deadline for political parties to submit the list of candidates for the 2027 governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections from Saturday, August 8, to Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
The commission announced the extension in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the National Commissioner and Chairman of its Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna.
According to INEC, the decision followed appeals by political parties for additional time to complete the submission process through the dedicated online portal.
“The submission window, which according to the revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the General Election was originally scheduled to close on Saturday, 8th August, 2026, has been extended to Tuesday, 11th August, 2026,” the commission said.
In a a related development, INEC announced the suspension of PVC collection in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The commission said voters who applied for replacement of lost, damaged or defaced Permanent Voter Cards would have until midnight on Sunday, August 9, to print downloadable copies of their cards.
The electoral body explained that the deadline was necessary to enable it compile data on downloaded PVCs and produce final statistics on the total number of cards collected ahead of the election.
INEC said PVC collection in Osun commenced at the Registration Area level from July 22 to 28, 2026, but was extended to July 31 following complaints about large crowds and difficulties experienced by voters at collection centres.
The exercise subsequently moved to the local government level and ran from August 1 to 7.
The commission also disclosed that replacement downloadable PVCs had been made available to voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas following the theft of cards during attacks on the two collection centres.
It stressed that the stolen cards could not be used to vote.
INEC reassured Osun residents of its preparedness for the August 15 governorship election.
“The commission reiterates that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
“INEC reassures the people of Osun State of its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive governorship election on 15th August, 2026,” the statement said.
The commission said the deadline, initially set for Saturday, 8 August, has been extended to Tuesday, 11 August 2026, following appeals from political parties for more time.
INEC also announced that the window for voters who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs to download their replacement cards will close at midnight on Sunday, 9 August.
The move is to enable the commission compile final PVC collection figures ahead of the 15 August Osun governorship election.
INEC said replacement downloadable PVCs have also been provided to affected voters in Odo-Otin and Ife Central Local Government Areas after hoodlums carted away cards from two collection centres, stressing that the stolen cards cannot be used to vote.
The commission reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a free, fair, credible and inclusive election in Osun State.
Gov. Kefas made the remarks over the weekend at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Jalingo, during the flag-off of the second phase of the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach in Taraba State, organised as part of activities marking Prof. Yilwatda’s 58th birthday.
The governor commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing to mark his birthday by providing medical care to people in need.
“What Professor Nentawe did is a powerful demonstration of what leadership should be,” Gov. Kefas said.
He assured that his administration would continue to support initiatives that complement government efforts to improve healthcare delivery and the wellbeing of residents.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Yilwatda called on Nigerian leaders to embrace the culture of giving and use their positions to touch the lives of the less privileged.
He said his decision to celebrate his 58th birthday in Taraba State was deliberate and informed by the needs of underserved communities, particularly people who face difficulties accessing healthcare because of distance and financial constraints.
According to him, the intervention followed a needs assessment and was extended across the three senatorial districts of the state.
He said the exercise commenced on August 3 at Takum General Hospital and covered the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Wukari; First Referral Hospital, Sunkani, Ardo-Kola Local Government Area; General Hospital, Bali; General Hospital, Gembu; and FMC Jalingo.
Prof. Yilwatda said the intervention provided medical services to thousands of beneficiaries, including people who required surgical procedures.
He said sustainable national development could only be achieved when strong institutions placed Nigerians at the centre of development.
“Leadership is about service,” he said, urging political and public leaders to make giving back to society an important part of their responsibilities.
He reaffirmed his commitment to serving Nigeria and its people, saying his personal vision was to make every day of his life useful to humanity.
“Every day that I live, the vision is: let it be useful to humanity,” he said.
The Taraba State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Bordiya Buma, commended the initiative, saying it was consistent with the Renewed Hope agenda and efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery in the state.
Dr Buma said the second phase followed the successful completion of the first phase, which was conducted simultaneously in six local government areas, with two LGAs selected from each of the three senatorial districts.
According to him, more than 10,000 patients were attended to during the first phase, including people with medical and surgical conditions.
He disclosed that 327 general surgeries, 71 eye surgeries and 575 dental procedures were carried out during the exercise.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the Renewed Hope Medical Outreach and thanked Prof. Yilwatda for supporting the initiative and choosing Taraba State as a beneficiary.
The Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, also commended Prof. Yilwatda for choosing Taraba State to mark his 58th birthday through a medical outreach.
Prof. Pate said making healthcare the centrepiece of the birthday celebration was significant because health affects everyone.
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