The Ekiti State Government has terminated the appointment of a surgeon accused of removing a patient’s kidney without obtaining prior consent at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, EKSUTH.
The decision was announced in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Health, Oyebanji Filani, and made available to journalists.
In addition to the dismissal, the government approved the suspension of all members of the surgical team who were present in the operating theatre on the day the procedure was carried out. Their suspension will last for one month and is subject to further administrative review.
The action followed the submission of a detailed report by a seven-member panel of enquiry, chaired by Professor Francis Faduyile, which was set up by the Ministry for Health and Human Services to investigate the allegations. The panel was constituted 11 days earlier to look into the claims made by Joshua Afolayan concerning a surgical procedure he underwent at EKSUTH.
According to the statement, “Upon careful review of the report and its recommendations, the Ekiti State Government has approved the following actions: The surgeon who had primary responsibility for the surgery is to be dismissed from the service of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) with immediate effect. All members of the surgical team present in the theatre on the day of the operation are to be suspended from duty for a period of one month, pending further administrative review.”
The government also announced that it would assume full responsibility for Afolayan’s medical care moving forward. It stated that it would fund a new kidney transplant for him and cover his post-transplant treatment and transplant-related medical maintenance for a period of two years.
Beyond the immediate sanctions, the state government disclosed plans for broader reforms within the hospital. It said a comprehensive reorganisation of relevant departments at EKSUTH would be carried out to reinforce clinical governance, accountability, and patient safety.
While reaffirming its support for the many dedicated health professionals working at the teaching hospital, the government stressed that it would act decisively whenever professional or ethical standards are violated. It emphasised its resolve to protect patients, uphold medical ethics, and restore public confidence in the state’s health system.
The statement concluded with an assurance that necessary reforms would be implemented to prevent a recurrence of such incidents and to ensure that EKSUTH continues to function as a centre of excellence in patient care, compassion, and responsible governance.
What you should know
The Ekiti State Government’s decision follows public outrage over allegations that a patient’s kidney was removed without consent at EKSUTH.
By dismissing the surgeon involved, suspending the surgical team, and committing to fund a new transplant and aftercare, the government is signalling zero tolerance for ethical breaches in healthcare.
The case has also triggered plans for institutional reforms aimed at improving accountability, patient safety, and clinical oversight within the teaching hospital, as authorities seek to rebuild trust in the state’s health system.
