Organ harvesting: Parent denies consent for child’s kidney removal at Abuja hospital
Salaudeen Adedoyin and Musa Yahaya, fathers of Oluwatobi Adedoyin and Yahaya Musa, respectively, have come forward to deny giving consent to the administration of Alliance Hospital and Services Limited in Abuja for the extraction of their children’s kidneys.
According to a report by Daily Trust on Thursday, one of the parents, Adedoyin, shared his account during a hearing at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The case revolves around the trial of four hospital staff members – Dr. Christopher Otabor, Emmanuel Olorunlaye, Chikaodili Ugochukwu, and Dr. Aremu Abayomi – who are facing 11 charges related to illegal organ harvesting, as per the arraignment by the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons.
Investigations conducted by the newspaper involved speaking with victims of the unethical medical practice in different parts of Abuja and Nasarawa State.
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During his testimony led by the prosecution counsel, Hassan Dahiru, Adedoyin recalled his encounter with the defendants at the office of the Commissioner of Police at the FCT Command Headquarters.
He revealed that when questioned, he expressed unawareness of the surgical operation performed on his son. Additionally, when asked if the hospital had sought permission from any family member, he explained that they were unable to provide a satisfactory answer to the commissioner.
“He (Dr Otabor) told me that someone can live with one kidney for the rest of their lives. I said I gave birth to him with two kidneys and I wanted it to be preserved that way. I said I want justice for the boy,” Adedoyin testified.
However, under cross-examination, Salaudeen said his son told him he didn’t read the contents of the affidavits and consent form he signed which claimed he was 18 and accepted to donate his kidney to one Samson Egbuson, identified as his uncle, the report noted.
The case was adjourned till May 9, 2024.
