Teen Victim: ‘They Lured Me, Removed My Kidney, and Offered Me N1m’

In a startling revelation at the FCT High Court in Zuba, a 16-year-old boy detailed how he was lured into a disturbing scheme involving the removal of his kidney at Alliance Hospital, Abuja. The teenager, whose identity remains undisclosed, testified that he was approached by Mr. Emmanuel Olorunlaye, purportedly the manager of Alliance Hospital, who enticed him with an offer of N1 million for his kidney.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has leveled charges against the defendants, including the Medical Director of Alliance Hospital, Dr. Christopher Otabor, Emmanuel Olorunlaye, Chikaodili Ugochukwu (the Administrative Secretary of the hospital), and Dr. Aremu Abayomi. They face 11 counts related to organ harvesting.

According to the teenager’s testimony, he was introduced to Olorunlaye by a friend in February 2023 under the guise of a job opportunity at Alliance Hospital. However, upon arrival, Olorunlaye took their blood samples and revealed the sinister intention behind their visit – to sell their kidneys.

Despite initially declining the offer, the boy was coerced into the scheme and eventually found himself in the operating theatre, where his kidney was removed without his full consent. He recounted waking up days later, weakened and shocked to discover the surgery’s outcome.

In a disturbing turn of events, the boy described how Olorunlaye attempted to compensate him with N1 million, citing logistical issues with cash transactions due to a purported “cashless policy.” The compensation was eventually transferred to a friend’s account, with only a portion of the promised amount received.

Following the surgery, the victim faced complications, including infection at the operation site, and endured financial losses, including a robbery while recovering at a hotel in Nasarawa State.

Despite attempts by the defence counsel to discredit the boy’s testimony, questioning the validity of his age and the circumstances surrounding the surgery, the court has adjourned further proceedings until May 7 for continuation of the hearing.