Tension at EKUTH as patient accuses hospital of organ harvesting, management sets up probe panel

A patient, Afolayan Adebayo, at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) has accused the medical doctors at the hospital of harvesting his kidney.

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Mr Adebayo made the allegation while speaking with journalists on Thursday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.

The patient, who is a teacher with the Ekiti State Government, explained that he had an accident in August 2025 and that after visiting the hospital, he was told that one of his kidneys was affected.

He said the results of multiple scans carried out, including UCH, Ibadan, Oyo State, confirmed that the right kidney had been damaged, but the left kidney is very fine.

He said a surgery was done to remove the faulty surgery to protect other organs, but since the surgery in October, he has not been able to pass urine. He confirmed that he still urinated five minutes before the surgery.

Mr Adebayo noted that all efforts to get explanations from the hospital were unsuccessful as they continued to play him around.

He added that on second thought, he decided to visit another facility for scanning, only to discover that he had been living without a kidney since the operation.

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He called on the government to carry out a thorough investigation and save his life, as he has continued to live in pain.

Investigation

However, as a response to the alleged organ harvesting, the hospital management led by Adedamola Dada has constituted a seven-member panel of enquiry to look into the alleged case of kidney removal.

Francis Faduyile, an anatomic pathologist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos, will serve as the chairman of the panel.

Other members include Patrick Adegun, a professor at the Federal University, Oye Ekiti; Henry Abiyere from Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido–Ekiti; and Adeniyi Agbaje, general manager, Progress F.M., Ado-Ekiti.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Ekiti State branch, Emmanuel Aribasoye, the Elemo of Ado–Ekiti, Babatunde Akindele, and Adebayo Titilayo, the legal adviser to Ekiti State Ministry of Health, will serve as secretary to the panel.

According to a statement by the Head of Corporate Affairs, EKSUTH, the panel has 10 days to submit its report.

“The hospital management reassured the public that no stone would be left unturned to determine the issues involved in this matter.

READ ALSO: Nigerian govt moves to curb illegal organ harvesting with new guidelines

“The Management noted that members of the panel are independent and responsible members of the community who would exhibit fairness and justice.

“All the affected parties and the general public were urged to cooperate with the panel as the findings are being awaited.”

Government calls for calm

Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Government has called for calm following an allegation by Mr Adebayo.

The Commissioner for Health, Oyebanji Filani, confirmed that the government is fully aware of the claim and takes the matter with utmost seriousness.

“The Government of Ekiti State remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the safety of everyone who seeks medical care in our facilities,” Mr Filani added.

He reassured residents that public hospitals across the state operate under strict ethical and professional standards, and the government will not hesitate to take appropriate action if any breach is confirmed.