Lagos takes stand against illegal organ harvesting with new bill

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, announced that the Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation Bill has been signed into law to prevent illegal organ harvesting.

Pedro shared this information on Thursday during a press briefing at the Ministry of Justice in Alausa, Ikeja, where he highlighted the importance of the new legislation alongside four additional laws.

He noted that the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, signed the laws to reaffirm his administration’s dedication to the welfare, security, and prosperity of Lagos residents.

The other newly enacted laws include the Consumer Protection Law, Lagos Enforcement Training Institute Law, Victims Assistance and Witness Protection Law, and Fire and Rescue Service 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.

“As a government, our priorities have always been to address the immediate needs of our citizens, protect their rights, ensure their safety, health and prosperities.

“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.”

The Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, described the Lagos Consumer Protection Agency Law as a significant milestone in strengthening consumer rights across the state.

He emphasized the importance of safeguarding residents’ interests as Lagos continues to thrive as a center for commerce, business, and trade.

“This law empowers consumers to hold businesses accountable and enforces their rights rigorously,” Pedro said.

He added that violations of the law carry serious consequences, including the authority to seal premises selling harmful products, fines of up to ₦5 million, and penalties such as six months imprisonment or a ₦500,000 fine for first-time offenders.

Repeat offenders face even harsher penalties, with fines reaching ₦750,000 and longer prison sentences.

Pedro also highlighted the Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation Law as a groundbreaking step in addressing illegal organ trade and unethical medical practices in Lagos. The law strictly prohibits organ harvesting without proper authorization and bans advertisements for the sale of human organs.

“This legislation protects individuals from exploitation while ensuring that medical procedures comply with the highest ethical standards,” Pedro explained. Violators of this law could face up to 10 years imprisonment or fines of up to ₦10 million.

Additionally, Pedro discussed the three other new laws, urging Lagos residents to familiarize themselves with these regulations and actively participate in their enforcement to ensure the collective welfare and security of the state.