The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has declared war against illegal organ harvesting with the signing of the Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation Bill into law, imposing a ten-year imprisonment or a ₦10 million fine for offenders.
This latest development, announced by the Attorney-General of Lagos State and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, in Ikeja on Thursday, aligns with the state government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable residents and upholding ethical medical practices.
According to Pedro, the Human Organ law, along with four other new laws signed by Governor Sanwo-Olu — including the Consumer Protection Law, Lagos Enforcement Training Institute Law, Victims Assistance and Witness Protection Law, and Fire and Rescue Service Law — aims to safeguard the welfare of every Lagosian, regardless of their social status.
With this new law in place, there are hopes that the growing activities of organ traffickers, who often coerce, deceive, or abduct vulnerable individuals, particularly those living in poverty, to harvest organs without their consent, will be eliminated.
Highlighting the strength of the new law, Pedro stated that it regulates organ transplantation, bans unauthorized procedures, and prohibits advertisements for organ sales.
Announcing the signing of the law, he said: “These laws are not just milestones in the state’s legislative journey; they demonstrate our unwavering commitment to ensuring that Lagos remains a beacon of progress, justice, and opportunity in Nigeria.”
Speaking further on the priorities of the Sanwo-Olu administration, Pedro continued: “As a government, our priorities have always been to address the immediate needs of our citizens, protect their rights, and ensure their safety, health, and prosperity.”
He disclosed that the law addresses critical areas and would benefit every Lagosian.
“In this regard, the recently signed laws cover some critical areas of public welfare, human rights, safety, and environmental sustainability. These laws have been thoughtfully designed to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing our state while paving the way for a more just, secure, and prosperous future for all residents of Lagos,” he concluded.