Dr. Noah Kekere, the Jos-based medical practitioner once accused of illegally harvesting a patient’s kidney, has publicly broken his silence months after being discharged and acquitted by a Plateau State High Court.
Known affectionately in his community as “Dr. Yellow” for his humanitarian outreach, Dr. Kekere was arrested in late 2023 following allegations by one Busari Kamal, who claimed her kidney was removed without consent during a procedure at Monarch Hospital in Jos North.
The accusation drew nationwide outrage, intense media coverage, and resulted in the closure of his hospital. However, in April 2025, the Plateau State High Court struck out all four charges against Dr. Kekere and his co-defendants, citing lack of evidence and medical inconsistencies.
A Battle for Truth and Justice
Speaking in an exclusive account, Dr. Kekere detailed his legal ordeal, which involved more than 18 court appearances across two High Court divisions—while being denied media access to defend himself.
“I was falsely accused of removing a woman’s kidney,” he said. “After thorough forensic and medical investigations, it was discovered she was born with only one kidney—a congenital condition known as solitary kidney. There was never any surgical removal.”
Investigations conducted by a committee of medical experts set up by the Plateau State Government—including angiography and CT scans—confirmed the absence of surgical interference. The Ministry of Justice subsequently withdrew all charges, and the court issued certificates of discharge to Kekere and the two other accused persons.
“There was never any organ harvesting,” Dr. Kekere insisted. “We don’t even have the capacity or expertise to carry out such a complex procedure. The allegations were entirely baseless—driven, in my view, by envy and an attempt to push us out of the community.”
“The Truth Set Me Free”
In response to rumors that he may have used influence or money to sway the court’s decision, Dr. Kekere was unequivocal.
“I was in detention throughout the process. I had no access to judges or government officials. I had no power or wealth. Only the facts—and a clear conscience—carried me through.”
Despite the court’s ruling, Dr. Kekere said the impact on his life and practice has been devastating. Over 25 staff members lost their jobs, and Monarch Hospital—once a beacon of free healthcare for underserved populations—remains closed due to safety concerns.
“We almost lost the facility to an angry mob. Some community members who benefited from our services stood in our defense,” he recalled. “But the damage was done—our reputation, our work, our staff’s livelihood.”
Forgiveness Over Revenge
Though encouraged by friends and legal experts to pursue defamation suits, Dr. Kekere said he has chosen a path of forgiveness.
“I leave my accusers to God. I’m a Christian, and I believe vengeance is the Lord’s. My focus is on rebuilding what was destroyed.”
He appealed to the Plateau State Government for support in reopening the hospital and reintegrating displaced staff, emphasizing the need for healing and restoration.
Dr. Kekere also thanked the medical community, legal teams, and segments of the media who remained committed to facts rather than sensationalism.
“In Nigeria, false accusations can travel faster than truth,” he said. “But eventually, truth stands. And I’m grateful that justice was served.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the scars of the experience, Dr. Kekere remains steadfast in his commitment to public health and community service.
“This will not stop me. I have dedicated my life to helping others, and with God’s help and the community’s support, I will continue.”
As he waits for improved security and public confidence to resume full operations, Dr. Kekere says his story serves as both a cautionary tale and a testimony—that truth, no matter how long, ultimately prevails..
A magistrates’ court in Jos on Tuesday sentenced a 40-year-old painter, Dominic Maitala, to two years’ imprisonment for stealing a car.
The magistrate, Irene Pati, sentenced the convict, who pleaded guilty to the charge.
Ms Pati, however, gave the convict the option of a N100,000 fine and ordered him to pay N7 million in compensation and, in default, to serve an additional year in prison.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Ibrahim Gokwat, told the court that the complainant, Peter Walar, reported the case on March 17 at the Area Command Metro Police Station.
Mr Gokwat said the convict was told to watch the car at the garage, but he took the car away and claimed he was drunk and did not know who stole the car from his house, where he had parked it overnight.
Nigeria’s former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has called for a full-scale investigation into the military airstrike that struck a marketplace in Jilli axis of Yobe State, amid growing concerns over civilian casualties.
Lawan, who represents Yobe North Senatorial District, expressed deep concern over the incident in Jilli Futchimiram, located in Geidam Local Government Area. The operation, carried out by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), was aimed at suspected Boko Haram insurgents and may have hit a busy local market.
Eyewitness accounts cited by the lawmaker, reveal that multiple fighter jets were involved in the operation, with over 100 people feared dead and several others injured. Medical sources at Geidam General Hospital treated at least 35 severely injured victims, raising fears of the death toll increasing.
While acknowledging the sacrifices of the armed forces in the fight against insurgency, Lawan stressed that the tragedy requires urgent scrutiny.
“The victims, largely innocent civilians, deserve a full, transparent, and independent inquiry. Their families deserve answers and justice,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government and military authorities to grant unrestricted investigator access, provide medical care for survivors, and compensate affected families. Lawan warned that the fight against terrorism must not come at the cost of civilian lives, noting that “we must never allow the war against terror to desensitise us to the sanctity of human life.”
His remarks follow reports that a military airstrike, targeting insurgents along the Borno–Yobe border, may have mistakenly hit a crowded market.
In response, the Nigerian Air Force said it has activated its Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell (CHAI-Cell) to conduct a fact-finding mission into the incident. The agency reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that the operation is based on credible intelligence.
Similarly, the Nigerian Army stated that the targeted location is a known terrorist hub in the Jilli axis. The Army surveillance tracked suspected fighters belonging to Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP sect, and their supply networks to the region.
The Army successfully neutralised several insurgents and disrupted planned attacks, though investigations are ongoing to verify the broad claims of civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, the human rights group Amnesty International shared witnesses reports’, that at least three military jets dropped bombs on the market, resulting in many deaths.
Yobe State Government confirms the operation’s aim targeted a terrorist stronghold, highlighting the sensitivity and complex nature of military operations in insurgent-locations.
Teenage Suspect Arrested, Offers Insight into ISWAP Network
In a related development, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) arrested a 15-year-old suspect, linked to ISWAP in Ngamdu, Borno State. Military sources apprehended the teenager in his attempt to procure supplies for the insurgents camped along the Ngamdu–Benisheik.
During interrogation, the confessions identified him as a messenger sent with ₦850,000 to get supplies, he affirms fighters were mobilised from Jilli, proving the credibility of military intelligence.
This comes after Jilli airstrikes, providing fresh insights into the supply networks of ISWAP terrorist, unraveling quality leads for the ongoing investigations.