Wellington Clinics in Abuja has denied any involvement in the alleged illegal harvesting and trafficking of human kidneys, following the arrest of four suspects linked to an alleged organ-trafficking syndicate in Nasarawa State.
The hospital said it is cooperating with the Nigeria Police Force in the ongoing investigation and has suspended all renal transplant-related services pending the outcome of the probe.
The police had earlier arrested four suspects allegedly connected to an organ trafficking and human trafficking network operating in Auta Balifi, Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
According to the police, investigators uncovered allegations that victims were recruited under false pretences and that official documents, including National Identification Numbers (NINs), birth certificates, affidavits and consent letters, were allegedly forged to facilitate the procedures.
One of the suspects, Emmanuel Ode, allegedly told investigators that a 22-year-old man, Samuel Ezekiel, was taken to Wellington Clinics in Life Camp, Abuja, on April 24, 2026, where he underwent a kidney removal procedure.
However, Wellington Clinics disputed any suggestion that it participated in organ trafficking.
In a statement by its Director of Administration, Yemi Olatunbosun, the hospital said Ezekiel was admitted as a scheduled kidney donor and underwent a left donor nephrectomy after presenting what appeared to be the required documentation.
The hospital said the kidney was subsequently transplanted into a patient suffering from end-stage kidney failure.
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Wellington Clinics maintained that its role was limited to providing an equipped operating environment and theatre under a pre-agreed facility rental arrangement.
It further stated that the surgery was performed by a medical team led by Benjamin Oyimeh, a senior consultant nephrologist and chief executive officer of Crown Medical and Kidney Centre.
The hospital said it was unaware of any financial transaction or other relationship between the donor, the medical team and any other individual connected with the case.
It also claimed that Ezekiel had allegedly sworn an affidavit before an FCT High Court and presented documents bearing a different name, while being accompanied by a man who identified himself as his brother.
Wellington Clinics said it immediately suspended all renal transplant-related services after becoming aware of the allegations.
The facility stressed its commitment to ethical and evidence-based healthcare, adding that it would continue to cooperate with the police and relevant regulatory authorities as investigations continue.
The police investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged kidney removal, the identities and roles of those involved, and whether any criminal violations occurred.
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