A governorship candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the March 18 gubernatorial poll in Abia state and founder of Gregory University, Uturu, also in Abia state, Professor Gregory Ibe has indicated readiness to lead influential Nigerians to push for immediate commencement of appeal proceedings in the sentencing of former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, his wife, Beatrice and Dr Obinna Obeta. The industrialist vows to initiate a multi-dimensional intervention in order to deliver timely succor and relief for them.

Ibe said he is compelled by the impending negative impact of jailing of the Ekweremadus by the UK Court on Nigerias’ image. He indicated in a statement on Saturday and sighted by News Express, to rally powerful Nigerians to appeal the sentencing, insisting that all hope is not lost.

In the statement he titled: RE- SENTENCING OF SENATOR IKE EKWEREMADU, Ibe also urged those he described as beneficiaries of Senator Ekweremadu’s academic benevolence to keep hope alive.

He said, “I have read with reservations trending news of the unfortunate sentencing of Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu, his wife Beatrice and Dr Obinna Obeta by a court in the United Kingdom on allegation of organ harvesting.

“It will be recalled that during the trial process our university joined other well- meaning Nigerians, including former President Obasanjo in appealing to the court and indeed the UK government for clemency on diplomatic and compassionate grounds.

“Now that it appears our several pleas didn’t secure the leniency of the UK judiciary, I am compelled by the impending negative impact of the sentence on our nation’s image and the unfortunate gloomy fate of countless youths who are beneficiaries of Senator Ekweremadu’s philanthropic benevolence to call for immediate commencement of legal appeal proceedings, in an effort to reverse the judgment.

“While acknowledging that the various intercessions from well meaning Nigerians do not confer any form of innocence on Senator Ekweremadu and his team, it is important to reassert the place of appeals to temper judgment with mercy in every temple of justice.

“Subsequently, I wish to enjoin all affected beneficiaries of Senator Ekweremadu’s academic benevolence, especially in Gregory University Uturu, to keep hope alive as I partner other public spirited individuals in commencing multi-dimensional intervention in order to deliver timely succor and relief.