Mrs Beatrice, the wife of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, has been released from prison in the United Kingdom and is now in Nigeria.
Beatrice, sentenced to five years in a UK prison, returned to the country on Tuesday.
She is reported to be currently in Abuja. Jubilation reportedly occurred at her family home in the Mpu community of Aninri Local Government Area in Enugu State.
Beatrice, her husband and one Obinna Obeta were imprisoned for an organ-trafficking conspiracy, receiving different sentences in 2023 from a UK court.
Speaking with our correspondent during the community-wide celebration, Mr Benjamin Chijioke, the President of Mpu Town Union Federated, described her return as a tremendous relief to the entire community.
Chijioke prayed for divine intervention in the case of Ekweremadu, their son, so that he, too, might return home in good health, just like his wife.
He said, “Our joy as the people of Mpu knows no bounds. It is an excellent day for us. Since morning, there has been jubilation and celebration across all the villages.
“People are shedding tears of joy, especially those who relied on the family’s philanthropic efforts to survive. Today is our Orie market day, and the entire market is celebrated.
“We thank God and pray for divine intervention so that our illustrious son and leader, Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu, will join his family soon. I am at a loss for words because their absence has caused significant setbacks for the community. We have missed them greatly, but we thank God for everything.”
Councillor Ogbuka Edwin of Mpu Ward also expressed gratitude for her return, noting that Ekweremadu and his wife’s absence had left a considerable void in the community.
Edwin stated, “Today feels like a public holiday in the Mpu Community. The news is a joyful one. The absence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu and his wife has created a significant gap in our community.
“We will not cease our prayers until our hero and leader is reunited with his family, and we trust what God can achieve. It is a celebration galore.”