Nigeria probes organ harvesting allegations against AH CEO, others

The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has directed Christopher Otabor, the CEO of Alliance Hospital, along with three others, to appear in court to address the charges of organ harvesting brought against them.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) said the trial of the CEO of Alliance Hospital and others would begin on May 16.

Those to undergo trial are the CEO, Dr Christopher Otabor, Emmanuel Muyiwa Olorunlaye, male (36 years), Chikaodili Ugochukwu, female (37 years), and Dr Aremu Abayomi, male (43 years).

NAPTIP in a statement by its communication officer, Adekoye Vincent highlighted the circumstances surrounding the case.

The agency said it arraigned the 51-year-old, Dr Otabor, and others before a High Court of the FCT sitting at Zuba, presided over by Hon. Justice Ogbonnaya, for alleged organ (Kidney) harvest on March 18, 2024.

Otabor was arraigned alongside; Emmanuel Muyiwa Olorunlaye, male (36 years), Chikaodili Ugochukwu, female (37 years), and Dr Aremu Abayomi, male (43 years).

NAPTIP stated that the defendants who were granted court bail were ordered to report to NAPTIP headquarters in Abuja daily and surrender their travel documents to the court.

The agency, however, noted that Dr Otabor sought redress at the National Assembly challenging his detention by the Agency during the investigative process through a petition to the House Committee on Public Petitions.

The committee in exercise of its legislative duties, subsequently invited the management of NAPTIP to appear before it on Thursday 18th April, 2024.

The Director of Legal and Prosecution Department of NAPTIP, Mr. Hassan Tahir, informed the Committee that the matter was sub judice as the case was already pending before a Court of competent jurisdiction and all the defendants including the petitioner had already taken their plea.

Ruling on the matter, the chairman of the Committee, Honourable Mike Etaba, told the complainant to go back to the Court and face the charges before him ultimately dismissing the petition.

NAPTIP said the decision of the committee reinforces the commitment to due process and legal proceedings in addressing serious allegations such as organ harvesting. The Nation Newspaper