Nigeria’s former Deputy Senate President and Senator representing Enugu West senatorial district is down with kidney complications, just like his daughter, Sonia, on whose account he is incarcerated and facing trial in the United Kingdom.
Meanwhile, it is not clear what diplomatic channels are being explored to extricate the Senator, who was Nigeria’s number six citizen for 12 years, from his predicament.
Confirmation for the kidney complications of the lawmaker came from none other than his embattled daughter.
She said in an Instagram post: “In the time that my father has been incarcerated, he has been diagnosed with acute kidney damage.”
Sonia on Monday took to the social media platform to plead for a kidney donor for herself as her own situation is deteriorating.
Recall that Ike Ekweremadu and his wife are facing trial on charges of organ harvesting in the United Kingdom after an alleged donor squealed on them.
Sonia’s statement reads, “I, Sonia Ekweremadu, hereby appeal to the general public to come to my aid and save my life.
“I am 25 years old and a graduate of Media and Communications, University of Coventry. I dropped out of my post graduate studies at the University of Newcastle in 2019 when I was diagnosed with a rare kidney disease, FSGS Nephrotic Syndrome.
“My family has battled to save my life and has taken me to various hospitals, but the illness persisted and kept degenerating. I am alive today by the special grace of God.
“I am presently in London, UK, receiving five hours of dialysis three to four times a week. This is at the expense of my family as I am not qualified for NHS due to my immigration status.
“The last three years have been extremely challenging. The charges being faced by my parents in London presently, are directly connected to my illness and have complicated matter for me and my family. I do not intend to delve into details of this unfortunate development as the matter is still in Court. I am, however, optimistic that the truth will prevail and it will end in praise to God.
“In the circumstance above, I am appealing to anybody whom it may please to assist me willingly with a kidney donation in the name of God.
“This appeal would have been utterly unnecessary as every member of my family is eager to donate their kidney to me, knowing that I would do the same for any of them.
“Regrettably, comprehensive medical examination showed that my case of nephrotic syndrome is a genetic illness and the doctors advised against donation from any of my family members, as it would likely reoccur. In the time that my father has been incarcerated, he has been diagnosed with acute kidney damage.
“Anybody that is moved by this appeal and wishes to donate his or her kidney to me may send an email to helpsonialive@gmail.com and include his or her name, phone number, email address and place of residence.
“Please, note that under the laws of England and Wales, organ donation must be purely driven by compassion and, therefore, no reward is involved.
“Finally, I have decided to commit and dedicate myself to helping people with the challenges of kidney disease, upon my full recovery. Thank you and God bless you.”
