Enugu State Government has said Chidera Nnamdi, who alleged one of his kidneys was removed, had only one kidney from birth.
Chidera’s parents alleged that their 15-year-old son’s left kidney was allegedly removed after he had an appendectomy procedure, in 2022.
In a statement, the state’s Commissioner for Children, Gender Affairs, and Social Development, Mrs. Ngozi Enih, said different medical examinations reportedly showed Chidera allegedly had no left kidney.
The statement released on Monday by Governor Peter Mbah‘s Senior Special Assistant on Media read: “As usual, the Enugu State Government took interest in this matter and swung into action upon receipt of the complaint, working closely with the police to determine the facts of the matter.
“First, Chidera was taken to the Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, Enugu, where medical investigations showed that no kidney was harvested, as the boy was born with only one kidney.
“The doctors established that the only cut on the boy was a small incision on the right side of his lower abdomen for an appendectomy procedure.
“It was also discovered that Chidera was suffering from serious stomach ulcer, which could partly explain the abdominal pains.
“The boy’s father rejected the initial result, following which the boy was taken to the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, (UNTH) Enugu, for further probe. The findings were exactly the same as those of the ESUT Teaching Hospital. The nephrologists also recommended an CT scan if there was still some doubt.
“The CT scan was done on him at Hansa Clinics, one of the best and most reputable facilities in Enugu.
“Excerpt of the CT scan report dated 11th October 2024 and signed by Prof S.O Mgbor, Medical Director and Consulting Radiologist reads: ‘The left kidney is not seen in its expected position and there is no demonstrable vermiform structure elsewhere in the abdomen or lung bases. No left venal blood vessels seen. The suprarenal glands on both sides are intact.
“The police had to begin to trace the source of the confusion, starting from the laboratory in Nsukka area. It was discovered that they were in the habit of faking results by simply copying and pasting other people’s results and issuing them as genuine.
“It was discovered that the X-ray result copied, pasted and issued to Chidera’s parents was that of an adult male, a crime the lab technician confessed to and was arraigned alongside the quack doctor.
“Despite all these efforts, Chidera’s father was still dissatisfied with all the outcomes, hence the government now asked him to choose any other facility, including facilities outside Enugu State, and the police would be made to take the boy to the place for further medical investigation.
“Meanwhile, it was discovered in the course of investigation that Joe Foundation Hospital and Maternity in Igboeze South LGA was not registered with the Enugu State Ministry of Health, hence it was sealed after the investigation.
“The so-called Dr. Shedrack Obinna Ekeh is also not registered with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, hence a quack.
“What is clear from the series of the medical investigations so far is that Chidera’s kidney was not removed.
“But even equally importantly, the boy’s parents are still free to recommend any other health facility of their choice, while anyone who is genuinely interested in the matter can also sponsor him to any reputable medical facility of his or choice. The bottom line is that justice is seen to have been done.“
