• Ohanaeze chieftain expresses hope for husband’s return

Traders at Orie Mpu Market in Mpu, Aninri Local Council, Enugu State, went agog yesterday as news filtered in about the release of the wife of former Deputy President of the Senate, Beatrice Ekweremadu. Ekweremadu hails from the Mpu Autonomous Community.

Beatrice and her husband, Ike, were jailed in the United Kingdom (UK) by a Judge at The Central Criminal Court. Recall that Ekweremadu, his wife and one Dr. Obinna Obeta were sentenced to prison by a UK court for their involvement in organ harvesting charges.

While Beatrice was jailed for four years and six months in March 2023, her husband, who was also found guilty of the same offence, was jailed for nine years and eight months.

It was gathered that MrsEkweremadu returned to Nigeria after serving her jail term, rejoining her family in Abuja.

Traders at the Orie Mpu Market, especially women, left their wares on receiving the news and went into jubilation. Abandoning the market, they sang and danced on major roads in appreciation to God for granting her safety. They were upbeat that their son, the former Senate President, would also return soon.

Efforts to speak with her son who is the Commissioner for Youths and Sports in Enugu State, LynoldEkweremadu, on the development, proved abortive. He could neither be reached on the phone nor respond to WhatsApp messages forward to him.

But President General, of Mpu Town Union Federated, Benjamin Chijioke, confirmed the development, stressing that their joy knew no bounds.

MEANWHILE, the immediate past National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Alex Ogbonnia, has expressed hope that the former Deputy Senate President, Ekweremadu, would soon return to Nigeria.

Ogbonnia was reacting to the release of Ekweremadu’s wife, Beatrice, from prison in the United Kingdom and her return to Nigeria.

Ogbonnia described the release of Ekweremadu’s wife as a celebration galore.

A statement by the former Ohanaeze National Publicity Secretary said: “I want to thank God for His grace upon Ike Ekweremadu and his wife.

“It’s jubilation galore across Enugu State because they used their opportunities to touch lives, showcasing the quality they possess.

“The husband, in particular, represented the people of Enugu West immeasurably and impacted Enugu State as a whole.

“We pray that in no distant time, he will return to Nigeria to continue his good work.”