In a telephone conversation with The Guardian, Onyema disclosed that during the next hearing, which is on November 9, he would pray the court to grant an accelerated hearing into the matter.

He said: “At most, under the present circumstances, only short adjournments, if necessary, should be entertained. The people of Enugu West are missing out on crucial deliberations at the Senate.”

Onyema had filed suit No FHC/EN/CS/171/2022 at the Federal High Court, Enugu, praying, among other reliefs, that the President of the Senate, Dr. Ahmad Lawan, should, in the light of the organ trafficking charge against the former Deputy President of Senate at a United Kingdom court, declare his Senate seat vacant.

Onyema contended that given the nature of the trial at the Central Criminal Court, Old Bailey, United Kingdom, it has become imperative that Ekweremadu’s seat be declared vacant, and be replaced by someone else to restore representation for the people of Enugu West.

He remarked that the matter should not be treated with levity or base sentiments, stressing that even if it requires that Ekweremadu’s next of kin be elected in his stead, it would serve the interest of the people rather than leaving the seat vacant without reflecting the wishes of the people who gave him the mandate.

Onyema disclosed that he has been reaching out to stakeholders from different communities in Enugu West, particularly, Oji River, Udi, Ezeagu and Awgu, pleading with them not to embark on any protest to demand Ekweremadu’s replacement.

While dismissing insinuations that caution should be exercised as in the case of the Senate Chief Whip, Orji Kalu, when he went to prison, Onyema asserted that the two cases are not only different but appeared in local and foreign jurisdictions.

Onyema added: “The court failed to sit on Monday, October 31, which was the last adjourned date, based on lack of legal representation for Sonia, Ekweremadu’s ailing daughter. From indications, the May date, which the matter has been tentatively fixed suggests that the trial could last for the remaining days of the legislative calendar of the 9th Senate.”