The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohaneze Ndigbo has dismissed rumours that it has disowned the embattled former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremmadu and his wife over alleged organ harvesting in the United Kingdom.
VANTAGE NEWS had reported that Ekweremmadu and his wife were arrested in London by the Metropolitan Police for allegedly bringing a boy identified as Ukpo Nwanmini to donate organ to their ailing daughter in the UK.
It was widely reported that the boy was yet to come of age for such a procedure in the United Kingdom. Ekweremmadu and his lawyers had since denied the allegations.
The National Publicity Secretary of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, in a statement issued in Monday denied reports that the group had disowned Ekweremmadu over his alleged involvement in the organ harvesting case.
The statement reads: “The attention of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has been drawn to remarks making the rounds to the effect that “Ohanaeze Ndigbo disowns Ekweremadu” over his ordeal in the United Kingdom.
“While Ohanaeze Ndigbo owes it a duty to stand with our own, especially in times of difficulty, it is not in their character to be hasty with statements over issues without sufficient facts.
“It is noteworthy that eminent Igbo patriots have at one time or the other, pleaded with impostors and pretenders to desist from reckless and unguarded statements that portray the Igbo in a bad light using the platform of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
“For purpose of clarity, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is Ambassador Professor George Obiozor while the Secretary General is Ambassador Okey Emuchay, MFR.
”Amongst the Igbo, it is a cultural anathema to rejoice over a brother’s misfortune. And this is where the remarks by Mr. Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, is very germane and instructive.”
“Our hearts go to our daughter, Miss Sonia Ekweremadu; and it is our fervent prayer that Sen. Prof. Ike Ekweremadu, CFR; Lady Nwanneka Ekweremadu, PhD and family will overcome the current travails.”
Disclaimer
Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Vantage News Nigeria or any employee thereof.
