A 20-year-old man, Aondoaseer Agbadu, has been remanded at the Federal Maximum Correctional Centre after his arraignment at the Magistrate Court, Makurdi, the Benue State capital, over his alleged involvement in conspiracy and organ harvesting.
Agbadu’s remand in the correctional centre took place during a court session on Thursday, where no plea was taken due to issues of jurisdiction.
The case was brought to light when Alexander Swati, a resident living opposite the Benue Internal Revenue Service office in Aliade, reported a grievous case to the police on August 27.
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.
According to Inspector Godwin Ato, the police prosecutor, the events unfolded sometime in April 2023 when Agbadu, who resides opposite Union Bank in Aliade, allegedly conspired with unidentified accomplices.
They deceived and transported Swati’s 17-year-old son, Terungwa Swati, to Abuja.
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While in Abuja, the prosecution alleged that they conducted a surgical operation on Terungwa without his consent or that of his father, harvesting one of his kidneys, and subsequently selling it to another individual.
As the police investigation into this disturbing incident continued, Agbadu was arrested and brought to court to face charges.
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.