The Crime and Conviction
Beatrice Ekweremadu and her husband, Ike Ekweremadu, a former Deputy Senate President, were convicted in the UK for attempting to traffic a young Nigerian man to harvest his kidney for their ailing daughter. The victim, who was lured with promises of a better life and financial rewards, became a victim of deceit and exploitation. After discovering the true intentions behind his trip to the UK, he alerted the authorities, which resulted in the Ekweremadus’ arrest and subsequent trial. This wasn’t a case of misunderstanding or cultural differences, as some have argued. It was a clear violation of human rights and international law. Organ trafficking is a heinous crime that exploits vulnerable individuals, treating human beings as commodities. The UK court’s decision to hold the Ekweremadus accountable was not only just but also a necessary deterrent for such practices.
A Celebration of Impunity
Despite the gravity of the crime, Beatrice Ekweremadu’s return to Nigeria was marked by an outpouring of support and celebration in her hometown of Mpu, Aninri Local Government Area, Enugu State. Videos and reports showed jubilant crowds singing, dancing, and showering her with praises. Such a response not only undermines the seriousness of her conviction but also sends a dangerous message; that power and status can shield people from social and moral accountability. This public celebration is emblematic of a wider societal issue. In Nigeria, the influential and wealthy often escape scrutiny, while the powerless and poor face the full weight of the law. By glorifying someone convicted of such a serious offense, the community is complicit in perpetuating a culture of impunity. This is not about forgiveness or empathy, it’s about normalizing unethical behavior when it involves people of privilege.
The Role of Culture and Community
Some may argue that the reception was an expression of cultural solidarity or an attempt to support a woman who has endured a difficult ordeal. However, this view ignores the wider effects of such actions. While communities have a right to welcome their own, they must equally reckon with the legal and moral dimensions of the situation. When a convicted person is celebrated, it reduces the voices of victims and undermines the concept of justice. The Ekweremadu case is a reminder of how deeply entrenched corruption is in Nigerian society. From religion to politics, several institutions are built on a foundation of favoritism and selective morality. This is not unique to the Ekweremadus, time and again, we see public figures who have been implicated in fraud, corruption, or other crimes being hailed as heroes upon their release from prison. In fact, it’s a symptom of a society that prioritizes personal loyalty and communal ties over accountability and justice.
What Message does this Send?
The warm reception of Mrs Ekweremadu sends a disturbing message, particularly to young Nigerians. It tells them that ethical behavior and adherence to the law are secondary to power, wealth, and connections. It tells victims of exploitation that their suffering is inconsequential compared to the social standing of their oppressors. This is not just damaging to the moral fabric of society but also counterproductive to efforts made to combat corruption and abuse of power. The optics of this celebration are troubling due to Nigeria’s ongoing struggle with problems such as organ harvesting, human trafficking, and systemic corruption. The Ekweremadus’ crime was not an isolated incident; it is part of a broader pattern of exploitation that disproportionately affects the vulnerable and poor. By celebrating her return, the community is condoning such practices and undermining the fight against them. While it is natural for communities to rally around their own, this must not come at the expense of justice and accountability . Forgiveness and support are important, but they must be balanced with a recognition of wrongdoing plus a commitment to upholding ethical standards. The Ekweremadus do not deserve public vilification, but neither do they deserve public glorification. Their actions have real victims, and those victims deserve support, empathy, and justice. Communities have a role to play in influencing societal values. By refusing to celebrate people who have been convicted of serious crimes, they can send a strong message about the benefit of integrity and accountability. Conversely, by celebrating such people, they reinforce the mentality that power and status are more important than fairness and justice.
A Call for Change
In summary, the Ekweremadu case should serve as a wake-up call for Nigeria. It’s a reminder of the need to strengthen institutions, uphold the rule of law, and challenge the spirit of impunity. Nigerians must ask themselves if they want to live in a society where the powerful and wealthy can escape accountability, or if they want to create a country founded on fairness, justice, and respect for human rights. The jubilant reception of Mrs Ekweremadu is a sign of a deeper problem, but it’s not irreversible. By holding people accountable for their actions and refusing to glorify criminal behavior, Nigerians can start to challenge the culture of impunity and corruption that has plagued the country for long.
This is the opinion of the writer and does not represent the view of www.politicogazette.com
Hmmmm…