NEWS
I Got N880,000 not N1m After my Kidney was Removed -16-year-old Boy Tells Court
A 16-year-old boy, on Tuesday, told an FCT High Court in Zuba that he was given N880,000 cash by Mr Emmanuel Olorunlaye, in Alliance Hospital, Abuja, after his kidney was removed.
The teenager made this known while being led in evidence by the prosecuting counsel, Hassan Tahir.
The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) charged the defendants alongside the Hospital with 11 counts bordering on organ harvesting.
The defendants are the Medical Director, Alliance Hospital, Dr Christopher Otabor, Emmanuel Olorunlaye, Chikaodili Ugochukwu, Administrative Secretary of the hospital and Dr Aremu Abayomi.
The 16-year-old boy said that he met Olorunlaye through a friend.
He said that Olorunlaye calls his friend when the hospital needs a kidney and that the hospital usually preferred persons with O+ blood group .
” My friend introduced me to Olorunlaye and told him I wanted to sell my kidney. Then Olorunlaye asked my friend to take me to any hospital around our area to know if I was healthy to donate my kidney.
“After going to a hospital for my check up, I was given my result and my friend took a picture of it and sent it to Olorunlaye via WatsApp because I did not have a phone.
” After two days Olorunlaye called my friend and sent some transport money to us to meet at the tAlliance Hospital to run some tests.
“I was taken to the laboratory for my blood samples and urine when I was done, Olorunlaye gave me N2,000 for a cab back home.
“He called me back to repeat the same test in the hospital at and again sent me N2,000 for a cab.
“I went on to see him on a Tuesday and Olorunlaye informed me that the surgery will be performed on a Friday.
“He told me not to inform any of my family members and instructed me not to eat from 8p.m to 10a.m and I did as he said.
He alleged that Ugochukwu gave him some documents at 8pm and instructed him to sign them but he did not read it.
He said Dr Abayomi (the fourth defendant) came into the room he was kept in and told him that he will perform a medical surgery on him.
”He told me not to worry he will save my life.
“A nurse came later arrived to get me and asked me change into the hospital wear and wheeled me into the theatre and gave me an injection that made me sleep.
” Two days later, I heard the nurse screaming my name so I answered and as I tried to get up I felt the sharp pain on my side.
” Olorunlaye came into to my room and informed me that my kidney had been removed and asked if I needed cash or mobile transfer of money,” he said.
He told the court that Olorunlaye told him that his friend, who “found” him, asked for his share of the N1 million and that he gave N100,000 from the money.
The minor said when he was discharged from the hospital, Olorunlaye asked him to get a me hotel to stay in and that he should not mention his name in the whole thing.
“I was still in pain and decided to go back home, My friend broke the news to my brother that I had removed one of my kidneys.
“My brother immediately informed my father and he came and asked me to remove my shirt and he saw the stitches,” he said.
He said he met the MD of the hospital at the police station for the first time.
The minor said the MD approached his family and asked them to withdraw the matter from the police because he will take care of them.
During cross-examination, the prosecuting counsel asked the boy to raise his shirt for the court to see his scar and asked about his health.
The boy said he feels pain in the area sometimes and is still on medication
The defence counsel, Afam Osigwe, SAN showed the boy the consent form and the affidavit from the high court and asked if he signed the documents and if his photograph was on the document.
He also asked if the boy stated in the document that he was 20 years old and that he wanted to donate a kidney for one Usman Mohammed, who he said was his cousin.
He replied that he only signed on a light pen and denied donating his kidney to Mohammed.
The prosecution however asked for an adjournment to enable him continue with his re-examination concerning the witness statement of oath made in the civil suit filed earlier in another High Court.
Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya granted the application and adjourned the case until Wednesday for continuation of hearing.(NAN)
NEWS
Uba Sani Attends Christmas Carol, Maulud to Strengthen Muslim-Christian Unity
By Nasir Dambatta
Governor Uba Sani has once again underscored his commitment to fostering unity among Kaduna’s diverse religious communities, attending both the 2024 Kaduna Unity Christmas Carol and a Maulud celebration in Zaria within the same week.On December 21, the Governor graced The 2024 Kaduna Unity Christmas Carol at ECWA Goodnews Church, Narayi Highcost, an event organized by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna Chapter.
The Carol, an annual tradition, brought together Christians from across the state in a celebration of joy, love, and togetherness. Governor Sani’s presence at the event highlighted his inclusive leadership and his efforts to strengthen interfaith harmony in a state known for its rich religious diversity.Shortly after, on December 22, Governor Sani attended a Maulud celebration in Zaria, organized by the Fityanul Islam group. Maulud, which commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), is a time for reflection, prayer, and communal unity. The gathering in Zaria was attended by numerous dignitaries and religious scholars who reflected on the Prophet’s teachings of compassion, tolerance, and peace—values that resonate deeply with the Governor’s vision for Kaduna.Observers said the Governor’s presence at both events was a powerful reminder of his dedication to fostering peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians in the state. “Through these actions, Governor Uba Sani is leading by example, demonstrating that religious celebrations and dialogue can serve as a foundation for a united, progressive society.”, one of the observers said.NEWS
Abuja Stampede: Wike Directs Free Treatment for Victims
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike has directed government hospitals to provide free treatment to the people that sustained injuries during a stampede at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama, Abuja.Wike gave the directive in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, in Abuja on Saturday.
No fewer than 10 people including children lost their lives while 10 others sustained injuries to the stampede, during the distribution of food items to less privileged and the elderly by the church. The sad incident occurred around 6:30 a.m on Saturday.Wike said that the FCT Administration would ensure that the injured received adequate medical attention.The minister, who commiserated with the victims, also directed that henceforth, police permission should be obtained by individuals or organizations planning public distribution of palliatives, either food items or cash.Describing the incident as “painful”, Wike prayed for the repose of the souls of the lives that were lost and fortitude for their families to bear the irreparable loss.He commended the Police and other security agencies for their prompt intervention, saying, “the promptness in which security agencies responded to the incident was commendable.”In a related development, the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD), equally commiserated with the victims of the stampede.The acting Director General of the department, Mr Abdulrahman Mohammed, in a statement said that nine out of the 10 injured persons earlier taken to Maitama District Hospital, have been treated and discharged.Mohammed also appealed to organisations that intended to give out food items to the less privileged to involve security agencies or FEMD for adequate planning to ensure safety of beneficiaries.He also advised the use of coupons and segregation of the beneficiaries into groups to avoid crowd and rowdiness that could lead to stampedes.Similarly, the Police Command in the FCT has ordered organisations, religious bodies, groups, or individuals to notify the police when planning public events, charitable activities, or large gatherings in the territory.In a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said that the notification was to enable the police to deploy adequate security measures for public safety.According to her, failure to comply with the directive will result in the organisers being held liable for any incident or loss of life resulting from negligenceMeanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has issued a warning against the unorganised distribution of palliatives and funfairs, which have led to stampedes and fatalities among vulnerable citizens.The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, gave the warning during a media briefing on Saturday in Abuja.Adejobi explained that the warning came in response to the increasing number of stampedes resulting in injuries and deaths, particularly during palliative distributions. (NAN)NEWS
NDA Records Successes in Military Training, Academics in 2024
The Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), says it has recorded a lot of successes in military training and academic activities in 2024.
The Commandant of NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, said this at the Nigerian Defence Academy Social Activities (NDASA), held at the headquarters of the academy Afaka on Friday in Kaduna.
Ochai said the essence of NDASA was to end training activities of the year.
He said the 2024 NDASA was unique because the academy marked 60 years of existence from 1964-2024.
Also of significance, Ochai said, NDA had passed out the largest number of officers commissioned into the Armed Forces of Nigeria in 2024.
Equally, he said, in the same year (2024), the academy had the largest number of officers trained outside the country.
He emphasised that the NDA does not only train leaders for the Nigerian Armed Forces, but those for the Nigerian nation and humanity at large.
“After five years of training, we imbibe in officers leadership qualities that are everlasting.
”The traditions, ethos, characters that we instill in our cadets follow them forever and become very useful in all spheres of human endeavors,” Ochai said.
Mr Martins Amaram, Country Security Manager, Nigeria Breweries, PLC , who was the Special Guest of Honour, said the event fostered unity, cultural awareness and comradeship among the cadets and the larger community.
Amaram said, “The academy has always been a beacon of excellence in producing military leaders for integrity, resilience and capacity to face in a dynamic and complex world .
“Beyond academics and military training the academy still values cultural respect and social engagement, recognising the diversity of our great country. Nigeria.”
He commended NDA for creating the platform where cadets can appreciate the rich cultures and build bonds that transit borders.
Amaram added, “The Armed Forces of Nigeria are playing a critical role in ensuring the stability and progress of our nation. “
He urged the academy to continue to record more successes in its mission of excellence and service to the nation.
Report says that awards were given to deserving soldiers who distinguished themselves in 2024.
report says that 22 soldiers were decorated from Warrant Officer(WO) to Master Warrant Officers(MWO). (NAN)