A Magistrate Court, Makurdi, the Benue State capital, has remanded a 20-year-old man, Aondoaseer Agbadu, over allegations that he was involved in conspiracy and organ harvesting.
The court remanded him to the Federal Maximum Correctional Centre during a court session where no plea was taken due to issues of jurisdiction.
Earlier, a resident, identified as Alexander Swati, reported the case to the police on August 27, 2023.
Swati is resident living opposite the Benue Internal Revenue Service office in Aliade.
Subsequently, the case was transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters in Aliade to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Makurdi, as per a letter dated August 30, with reference number AR:3100/BNS/AL/VOL.4/258.
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The police prosecutor in charge of the case, Inspector Godwin Ato, disclosed that the events unfolded sometime in April 2023 when Agbadu, who resides opposite Union Bank in Aliade, allegedly conspired with unidentified accomplices.
The prosecutor added that the suspects deceived and transported Swati’s 17-year-old son, Terungwa Swati, to Abuja.
They were alleged to have conducted a surgical operation on Terungwa when they got to Abuja, without his consent or that of his father.
Inspector Ato said the suspects harvested one of Terungwa’s kidneys, and subsequently sold it to another individual.
As the police investigation into this disturbing incident continued, Agbadu was arrested and brought to court to face charges for the alleged crime he committed.
Inspector Ato cited that the accused had violated Sections 27 and 20 (1) (2) and (3) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act of 2015.
The Magistrate presiding over the case, Mr. Taribo Atta, has adjourned the proceedings until October 23, 2023, for further mention.
This delay allows additional time for the ongoing investigation and legal processes to unfold.
The father of the victim demanded for justice for his child, saying his family is traumatised by the development.