The Plateau State High Court has discharged and acquitted Dr. Noah Kekere, the owner of Murna Clinic and maternity in Yanshanu Jos, and two others accused of illegally harvesting kidneys during routine medical procedures.
After more than a year of legal battle, the court o Friday struck out all charges following the withdrawal by the prosecution, citing lack of evidence and inconsistencies in the case.Dr. Kekere had faced allegations of removing the right kidney of Mrs. Kehinde Kamaru during an appendix operation and was also implicated in a similar claim by another complainant, Mallam Ejibade, who accused the doctor of removing his left kidney during a hernia surgery at Murna Hospital and Maternity in Jos.
The charges—filed under criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and organ trafficking—were vigorously contested by Dr. Kekere’s legal team, which included SAN Umor, Prof. A.S. Shaakaah, and M.P. Mwasat Esq.. On the other side, the Plateau State Ministry of Justice, led by Chief State Counsel, handled the prosecution.
Delivering its verdict in Court 11 on March 24, 2025, and Court 9 on April 8, 2025, the judges struck out all charges after the Ministry of Health’s forensic medical tests revealed no evidence of organ harvesting. Based on the findings, the Attorney General directed the withdrawal of the charges.
The Court records show a prolonged legal process with repeated adjournments, largely due to the prosecution’s failure to present witnesses or tender critical evidence—most notably, the medical report by the Ministry of Health, which was submitted as far back as November 2023 but never officially presented in court.
In Court 9, there were eight court appearances and multiple adjournments, with the complainants absent since January 2024. Similarly, in Court 11, the case saw nine sittings, six adjournments, and three no-shows by the prosecution, with the complainant appearing only twice since 2023.
An emotional scene unfolded as the judgment was read. Dr. Kekere, overwhelmed with emotion, broke down in tears, expressing gratitude to God for what he called his “divine vindication.
“I am pained that my hard-earned reputation and years of humanitarian service have been dragged through the mud by falsehood, envy, and blackmail,” he said. “I was detained, persecuted, and my hospital has remained shut for nearly two years.
According to Dr Kekere, such injustice must never happen to another innocent person and also emphasized the need for public education, pointing out that some individuals are naturally born with a single kidney and live normal lives.
“My facility is duly registered with the Ministry of Health and Corporate Affairs Commission. Taxes are paid annually, yet I received no support throughout this trial,” he added.
The outcome this Judgment brings closure to one of Plateau State’s most controversial medical cases in recent times and reignites conversations about justice reform, media trial, and the responsibilities of law enforcement in upholding civil rights.
