The Attorney-General of Lagos State and the Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, has announced that the Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation Bill has been signed into law to prohibit illegal organ harvesting.
Pedro made this disclosure on Thursday at the Ministry of Justice in Alausa, Ikeja, while briefing the press on the significance of the new law, alongside four other new laws recently enacted.
According to Pedro, the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, signed the new laws to demonstrate his commitment to the welfare, security, and prosperity of every Lagosian.
The other four new laws include the Consumer Protection Law, the Lagos Enforcement Training Institute Law, the Victims Assistance and Witness Protection Laws, and the Fire and Rescue Service Laws.
He said, “These laws are not just milestones in the state’s legislative journey; they demonstrate our unwavering commitment to ensuring that Lagos remains a beacon of progress, justice, and opportunity in Nigeria.
“As a government, our priorities have always been to address the immediate needs of our citizens, protect their rights, ensure their safety, health, and prosperity.
“In this regard, the recently signed laws cover some critical areas of public welfare, human rights, safety, and environmental sustainability.
“These laws have been thoughtfully designed to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing our state while paving the way for a more just, secure, and prosperous future for all residents of Lagos.”
The Attorney-General further explained that the Lagos Consumer Protection Agency Law marked a significant advancement in enhancing consumer rights in the state.
As Lagos continues to be a hub of commerce, business, and trade, Pedro stressed that it is vital to safeguard the interests of its residents.
He highlighted the Lagos Consumer Protection Agency Law as a major step forward in protecting residents, noting, “As Lagos continues to thrive as a hub of commerce and trade, it is crucial that the rights of our citizens are safeguarded. This law empowers consumers to hold businesses accountable and ensures strict enforcement of their rights.”
Pedro also detailed the penalties for violations of the law, saying, “Violation of this law could lead to the sealing of premises selling hazardous products and impose a fine of up to N5 million for violations.
“Offenders face penalties, including a custodial sentence of six months or a fine of N500,000, with subsequent offenders subject to stricter punishments, including fines of up to N750,000 and longer sentences.”
The Commissioner for Justice also explained that the Human Organ Harvesting and Tissue Transplantation Law addresses the illicit organ trade and unethical medical practices.
He described it as a groundbreaking framework to regulate organ harvesting and transplantation in the state, noting that the law prohibits organ harvesting without proper authorisation and bans advertisements for the sale of human organs.
“This legislation protects individuals from exploitation and ensures that medical procedures adhere to the highest ethical standards,” Pedro said. “Violators risk up to 10 years imprisonment or a fine of up to N10 million.”
Pedro also provided an overview of the three other new laws and urged all residents to familiarise themselves with the laws and actively engage in their enforcement.
