Oluwatosin Enesi
Speaking with journalists in Gbagada Estate, phase 1, Lagos, Eric, who worked for the Managing Director of a company in Ikeja, explained that in 2018, his boss assigned him to drive his ailing brother to the Saint Nicolas hospital, Lagos Island, for dialysis while he (boss) was outside the country.
He said, “When he returned to the country, he appreciated me for taking his brother to the hospital and informed me that his brother’s kidney had failed and that in the next one week, he might lose his life. He asked if I could donate one of my kidneys to him. Thereafter, he told me to kneel down to pray for me and in the process, he rubbed a liquid substance on my head.
“He told me that he would give me 20 million dollars, buy a house for me in America and connect me to his rich friend in America where I would be driving big cars. I was excited.
“Thereafter, he called his brother to inform him that I had agreed to donate one of my kidneys to him. They took me to the hospital, I did many tests and the doctors said my kidney matched his brother’s.
“I was admitted for three days and on the agreed day, the operation was done. They gave me some medicine. But since 2018 till date, I have not been receiving treatment.
“A week after my boss rented an apartment for me, he directed me to resume work in the office, and that I would be paid N70,000 a month. He warned that anytime I failed to come to work over health issues, he would deduct N30,000 from my salary. Even when I complained that I was weak, he would shout at me, saying I could survive with one kidney.
“When I asked Mr. Steve to give me the money and other promises he made before the donation, he kept delaying until I told my mother about what happened. All I want is for him to keep to the promise he made before the surgery was done so that I can survive with the remaining kidney I have. His brother is very healthy now, while I am dying. I was hungry and from a poor family. I thought giving one of my kidneys in exchange for compensation would change my life and my family’s.
His mother, Mrs Gloria Nwoko, said she had been trying to reach her son for some time without luck, unknown to her that he had donated his kidney.
She said, “I have been wondering why he had not been picking up my calls until October 13, 2023, when he called and told me what happened. We were living together until he suddenly relocated to Mowe, Ogun State.
“At the moment, my son cannot walk. He needs medical help. He has lost so much weight. I am only requesting that Mr Steve should help my son survive like his brother. Yes, we are poor, but I believe the AIG will help us get justice”, she said.
Also on his part, Counsel to the victim, Tony Dania, revealed that when the victim was taken to Saint Nicholas Hospital, his boss’s younger sister whose identity he gave simply as Deborah, acted as the victim’s wife.
He said, “after the operation carried out by one Dr Gbagboye, on December 22, 2018, his boss, Steve, rented an apartment for him and asked him to stay away from the family.
“A good Samaritan took them to Zone 2 Police Command, where some policemen were detailed to arrest his boss.
“We want the Nigeria Police to see this as a test case and do its best. Organ sale is illegal and criminal. The person giving should give consent and there are procedures. Deborah is not the wife of the victim and she signed as one. This is also a case of forgery. A donor’s consent is needed for any surgery.
“In this case, Eric signed a document in an office, he did not read what he signed at Mr. Steve’s office and in the hospital. His boss only told him to just say yes, so he did not ask a question. If the consent was obtained by deceit, then the consent cannot hold”, he maintained.
As of the time of writing this report, the owner of De-Akasten Global Limited, Ikeja, was still in Police custody at the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, SP Hauwa Idris-Adamu, stated that Eric’s boss was at that moment being interrogated.
She said, “He is being interrogated as we speak. I will get back to you after the interrogation”.
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