Ekiti State Government has approved the dismissal of a surgeon who carried out a surgical procedure leading to the removal of the kidney of one Mr Joshua Afolayan at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH). Mr Afolayan had claimed that he was unaware that the surgical procedure would lead to the removal of his functioning kidney.
The government according to Dr Oyebanji Filani, Commissioner for Health & Human Services would bear the cost of a new kidney transplant for Mr Afolayan. The Surgeon has not been named.
Mr Afolayan had gone to EKSU for surgery following an accident he had in July which affected one of his kidneys. And medical intervention was recommended for the removal of the damaged kidney.
However, he discovered after the surgery that something was wrong. Before the surgery he could urinate effortlessly. But after he could not.
He sought help and tests confirmed that his functioning kidney had been removed. Confirmatory tests confirmed that the surgeon who performed the operation removed the functioning kidney leading to serious health complications. He was also not told what was done with the functioning kidney leading to allegations of Organ Harvesting against the surgeon and his team.
Government’s decision:
THE REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT PANEL OF ENQUIRY INTO THE ALLEGED REMOVAL OF A KIDNEY AT EKSUTH
Thursday December 18,2025 the office of the Honourable Commissioner for Health and Human Services received the detailed report submitted by the seven-member Panel of Enquiry chaired by Professor Francis Faduyile.
The panel was constituted 11 days ago, to investigate the claim made by Mr. Joshua Afolayan regarding a surgical procedure he underwent at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH).
Upon careful review of the report and its recommendations, the Ekiti State Government has approved the following actions:
1. The surgeon who had primary responsibility for the surgery is to be dismissed from the service of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) with immediate effect.
2. All members of the surgical team present in the theatre on the day of the operation are to be suspended from duty for a period of one month, pending further administrative review.
3. The Ekiti State government will bear the full cost of a new kidney transplant for Mr. Joshua Afolayan and will also take responsibility for his post-transplant care and transplant related medical maintenance for a period of two years.
4. In line with the recommendations of the Panel, a comprehensive reorganisation of relevant departments within EKSUTH will be undertaken to strengthen clinical governance, accountability, and patient safety.
While the Ekiti State government continues to stand firmly behind the many dedicated and hardworking health professionals at EKSUTH and acknowledges their sacrifices and commitment to service, it will not hesitate to take decisive action where professional standards are breached.
The government remains resolute in its commitment to protecting patients, upholding ethical and professional standards in healthcare delivery, and restoring and sustaining public confidence in the Ekiti State health system.
Necessary reforms will be pursued to ensure that incidents of this nature do not recur and that EKSUTH continues to serve as a centre of excellence in patient care.
We thank the people of Ekiti State for their patience, and trust, and we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to continued improvement in quality health care, compassion, and responsible governance.
Signed:
Dr Oyebanji Filani
Honourable Commissioner for Health & Human Services
