My boss deceived me into donating my kidney over empty $20m promise — Driver

A 42-year-old man, Nwoko  Eric, has revealed how his former boss allegedly deceived him to donate one of his kidneys to his (the boss) younger brother, only to abandon him after the transplant was done.

Speaking with journalists yesterday, in Gbagada Estate, Phase 1, Lagos, the indigene of Abia State, who worked  for  Managing Director of a company in Ikeja, explained that  in 2018,his boss assigned him to be  driving  his ailing brother  to the Saint Nicolas hospital, Lagos Island ,for dialysis while he (boss) was outside the country.

He said, “    When he  returned to the country,  he appreciated me for taking his brother to the hospital  and informed me that his  brother’s kidney had  failed and  that in the next one week , he  might lose his life. He asked if I could  donate one of my kidneys to him. Thereafter,  he  told me to  kneel down to pray for me and in the process, he  rubbed a liquid substance   on my head.

The Promise

“He told me that he would  give me 20million dollars , buy a house for me in America and connect  me to his rich friend in America where I would  be driving big cars. I was excited.

"Thereafter, he called his brother  to inform him that  I had agreed to donate one of my kidneys to him.  They  took me to the hospital , I did many tests  and the doctors said my kidney matched his brother's.

“ I  was admitted for three days and on the agreed day, the  operation was done. They gave me some medicine . But since  2018 till date, I have not been receiving treatment.

Disagreement

“ A week  after my boss rented an apartment for me,  he directed  me to resume work in the office,  and that I would be paid  N70,000 a month . He warned that anytime I failed  to come to work  over  health issues , he would  deduct N30,000 from my salary. Even when I complained  that I was weak,  he would shout at me , saying I could survive with one kidney.

“When I asked Mr Steve to give me the money and other promises he made before the donation,  he kept delaying until I told my mother  about what happened.  All I want is for him to keep the promise he made before  the surgery was done, so that I can survive with the remaining kidney I have . His brother is very healthy now, while I am dying . I  was hungry and from a poor family. I thought giving one of my kidneys in exchange for compensation would change my life and my family’s. 

Mother laments

His mother,  Mrs Gloria Nwoko ,  said she had been trying to reach her son for some time without luck, unknown to her that he had donated his kidney.

She said, “ I have been wondering why he had not been picking my calls until October 13, 2023, when he called and told me what happened. We were living together until he suddenly relocated to Mowe, Ogun  State. 

“ At the moment, my son cannot walk . He needs medical  help. He has lost so much weight . I am only requesting that Mr Steve should help my son survive like his brother. Yes , we are poor, but I believe the AIG will help us get justice”, she said.

Speaking also, Counsel  to the  victim,  Tony  Dania, revealed that when the victim was taken to Saint Nicholas Hospital , his boss’s younger sister whose identity he gave simply as Deborah, acted as the victim’s wife.

 He said , “ after the operation carried out by one  Dr Gbagboye,  on December 22, 2018, his boss, Steve ,rented an apartment for him and asked him to stay away from the family.

"A good Samaritan took them to Zone 2 Police COmmand ,  where some policemen were detailed  to arrest  his boss.

“We want the  Nigeria Police to see this  as a test case and do  its  best. Organ sale is illegal and criminal. The person giving should give consent and there are procedures. Deborah is not the wife of the victim and she signed as one. This is also a case of forgery. A donor’s  consent  is needed for any surgery.

“In this case, Eric  signed a document in an office , he did not read what he signed  at Mr Steve’s  office and in  the hospital. His boss only  told him to just say yes, so he did not ask a question.  If the consent was obtained by deceit, then the consent cannot hold”, he maintained.

Police arrest  victim’s boss

As of time of writing this report, owner of De-Akasten Global Limited, Ikeja,  was still in Police custody at the Zone 2 Police Command, Onikan, Lagos.

When contacted, spokesperson for the Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, SP Hauwa  Idris-Adamu , stated that Eric's boss was at that moment being interrogated. She said, “ He is being interrogated as we speak. I will get back to you after the interrogation.” 

Culled from Vanguard