Gov Sanwo-Olu endorses 10-year jail for organ harvesters

LAGOS STATE, Nigeria —   The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has signed a law prohibiting human organ harvesting and 10 years’ imprisonment for offenders.

Recall that the Lagos state government rolled out new laws last week, including the Human Organ Harvesting and Tissue Transplantation Law.

Sanwo-Olu signed the bills into law, declaring them “a testament to our commitment to the welfare, security, and prosperity of every Lagosian.”

Besides the Human Organ Harvesting and Tissue Transplantation Law, the other laws signed by Sanwo-Olu were the Lagos State Enforcement Training Institute Law, Victims Assistance and Witness Protection Law, and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service Law.

During a press briefing at the Ministry of Justice in Alausa, Ikeja Lagos on Thursday, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), explained the significance of the legislation.

“These laws are not just milestones in Lagos State’s legislative journey, they demonstrate our unwavering commitment to ensuring that Lagos remains a beacon of progress, justice, and opportunity in Nigeria,” he stated.

He stated that the Human Organ Harvesting and Tissue Transplantation Law would address illicit organ trade and unethical medical practices.

Pedro described it as “a groundbreaking framework to regulate organ harvesting and transplantation in Lagos State.”

The law prohibits organ harvesting without proper authorisation and bans advertisements for the sale of human organs.

“This legislation protects individuals from exploitation and ensures medical procedures adhere to the highest ethical standards,” he said. Violators risk up to 10 years imprisonment or fines of up to N10m.

Pedro added “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. 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 the residents of Lagos.”