Lagos signs bill to tackle illegal organ harvesting

According to Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, the Commissioner for Justice and the Attorney-General of Lagos State, the Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation Bill has been enacted to outlaw the illicit collection of organs.

Pedro made this revelation on Thursday while educating reporters about the importance of the new law and the other four new laws at the Ministry of Justice in Alausa, Ikeja.

He said that in order to demonstrate his dedication to the well-being, safety, and prosperity of all Lagosians, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu signed the new legislation.

Laws pertaining to consumer protection, the Lagos Enforcement Training Institute, victim assistance, witness protection, and fire and rescue services are the other four new laws.

Pedro clarified that unethical medical practices and the illegal organ trade were addressed by the Human Organ Harvesting and Tissue Transplantation Law.

He added that the law forbids marketing for the sale of human organs and forbids organ harvesting without the required license, calling it a groundbreaking framework to control organ harvesting and transplantation in the state.

This law guarantees that medical practices follow the strictest ethical guidelines and shields people from exploitation.

According to Pedro, "Violators risk up to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of up to N10 million."

"These laws show our steadfast commitment to ensuring that Lagos remains a beacon of growth, fairness, and opportunity in Nigeria," he continued. "They are not merely significant milestones in the state's legislative path.

Addressing the urgent needs of our people, defending their rights, and ensuring their safety, well-being, and prosperity have always been top priority for our administration.

In this sense, the recently enacted legislation addresses a number of important topics, including environmental sustainability, safety, human rights, and public welfare.

"These laws have been carefully crafted to address some of the most urgent problems confronting our state and to pave the way for a more equitable, safe, and prosperous future for all Lagos residents."

The Lagos Consumer Protection Agency Law, the attorney general added, represented a significant advancement in the state's efforts to strengthen consumer rights.

He asserts that it is crucial to protect the interests of the locals because Lagos is still a centre of trade, business, and commerce.

He cited the Lagos Consumer Protection Agency Law as a significant advancement in citizen protection.

"The protection of our citizens' rights is essential as Lagos develops as a centre of trade and business.

This law guarantees that customers' rights are strictly enforced and gives them the ability to hold companies accountable.

"Violators of this law face a fine of up to N5 million and the authority to close businesses that sell dangerous goods.

Penalties for violators include a six-month jail sentence or a fine of N500,000, and repeat offenders will face harsher penalties, such as fines of up to N750,000 and longer sentences,” he said.

The commissioner for justice also explained the three other new laws and urged all residents to familiarise themselves with the laws and to actively engage in their enforcement.