The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), has arraigned a 51-year-old prominent Abuja–based medical practitioner, Dr. Christopher Otabor, and three others before a High Court of the FCT sitting at Zuba, presided over by Hon. Justice Keziah Ogbonnaya, for an alleged organ (Kidney) harvest.
The defendant is the CEO of Alliance Hospital, located in the Garki area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, which has been enmeshed in the alleged organ harvest controversy since the past year involving some victims.
Arraigned with him are Emmanuel Muyiwa Olorunlaye, male (36 years), Chikaodili Ugochukwu, Female (37 years), and Dr. Aremu Abayomi, male (43 years).
Following months of thorough investigation, a prima facie case was established against the defendants, implicating them in varying degrees of culpability for offenses related to organ removal, as stipulated under section 20 of the Trafficking in Persons (Prohibition) Enforcement and Administration Act, 2015.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Ruling on the bail application by counsels to the defendants, the defendants have been ordered to report to the Corporate Headquarters of NAPTIP, Abuja on a daily basis with effect from Tuesday 19th March 2024, and also deposit their travel documents with the Court.
The Judge also granted the request of counsel in the case for an accelerated hearing and subsequently adjourned to May 6th – 9th and 13th – 16th, 2024, for the commencement of the trial.
Adekoye Vincent
Communication Officer,
NAPTIP.
