A 22-year-old man, Samuel Ezekiel, has told the Nigeria Police how his friend, Emmanuel Ode, allegedly lured him into a kidney harvesting scheme after deceiving him into believing they were going to “hustle” and make money together
According to the police, Samuel said that his friend, Emmanuel Ode, deceived him into believing that they were going to “hustle” and make money together.
Samuel said he trusted Emmanuel so much that he usually did whatever his friend told him without verifying or questioning him.
He said that the following day, Emmanuel took him to an agent, who then took him to Wellington Hospital in Abuja to undergo some medical tests.
After a few days, Samuel said they were informed that his kidney did not match the person they initially intended to donate it to.
However, he said they were later told that another person had been found whose kidney requirements matched his.
Samuel said he was subsequently taken through the process, and the doctor gave him $350 as payment before the surgery.
He explained that he handed the money over before going into surgery. By the time he woke up, Emmanuel had converted the money to naira and used it to buy two iPhones, power banks and MiFi devices for the both of them.
Samuel said they spent about a week at the hospital before travelling to Cross River, where they spent the remaining money.
Eventually, he said they had to sell his phone to raise money for transportation back to Lagos.
The police said Emmanuel Ode, during interrogation, allegedly confessed to recruiting victims under false pretences.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu said:
“During interrogation, Emmanuel Ode confessed to recruiting victims under false pretences. He disclosed that on 24th April 2026, he lured one Samuel Ezekiel, 22, to Wellington Hospital, Life Camp, Abuja, where his kidney was allegedly harvested for the sum of $1,250 USD (One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty US Dollars), equivalent to ₦1,700,000.00 (One Million Seven Hundred Thousand Naira) at the current exchange rate.”
The police account corroborates Samuel’s account that Emmanuel was responsible for taking him to the hospital, although there is a significant discrepancy over the amount of money involved.
While Samuel told police that he received $350 before the surgery, police said Ode disclosed that the kidney was harvested for $1,250.
The discrepancy raises questions about the actual amount paid for the kidney and how the money was subsequently handled.
Police also said another alleged victim told investigators that he was recruited by the same agent in 2022 and underwent a similar procedure, for which he was allegedly paid ₦7 million.
The other suspects arrested in connection with the investigation are Dr Benjamin Oyime, a nephrologist and consultant to Wellington Hospital; Dr Daniel Otukpa, a nephrologist and David Idoko Acting Director of Clinical Services at the hospital.
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