Aondoaseer Agbadu remanded for kidney harvesting in Benue

A Magistrate Court in Makurdi, Benue State, has remanded a 20-year-old man, Aondoaseer Agbadu, in the Federal Maximum Correctional Centre. Agbadu faces charges of conspiracy and procurement for organ harvesting. The court proceedings took place on Thursday, and no plea was entered due to issues of jurisdiction.

According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Godwin Ato, the case was initiated when Alexander Swati, a resident living opposite the Benue Internal Revenue Service office in Aliade, Gwer East local government area of Benue State, reported an incident on August 27.

The case was subsequently transferred from the Divisional Police Headquarters in Aliade to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Makurdi via an official letter dated August 30, with reference number AR:3100/BNS/AL/VOL.4/258.

Inspector Ato elaborated that in April 2023, Aondoaseer Agbadu, residing opposite Union Bank in Aliade, allegedly conspired with others (who are currently at large) to deceive and take Swati’s 17-year-old son, Terungwa Swati, to Abuja.

While in Abuja, they reportedly performed an operation on Terungwa, harvesting one of his kidneys without his consent, or that of his son, and subsequently sold it to another person.

During the course of the police investigation, Aondoaseer Agbadu was apprehended for his alleged involvement in the crime, while the other suspects remained at large.

Ato stated that the accused contravened Sections 27 and 20 (1) (2) and (3) of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.

The prosecutor requested additional time to complete the investigation, indicating that it was still ongoing.

The Magistrate, Mr. Taribo Atta, adjourned the case until October 23, 2023, for further mention. This case has raised concerns about illegal organ harvesting and the need to address human trafficking and exploitation in the region.