MICHAEL AKINOLA
Two Medical Doctors, Michael Atiba and Michael Ugbeye, have been remanded in custody over the death of a patient, Ejiro Ugorobi, during an operation in Lagos State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the doctors were charged for involuntary manslaughter under the Criminal Law before an Ikeja High Court, Lagos.
Dr Atiba, is a doctor at the Gbagada General Hospital and Dr Ugbeye, a Consultant with National Orthopedic Hospital, are facing a count charge preferred against them by the Lagos State Government over their alleged conduct.
However, they pleaded not guilty.
The State Counsel, Mr. Olalekan Azeez, asked for a trial date following their not guilty plea to enable the Police to prove that they actually committed the alleged offence.
Azeez told the Court that the defendants unlawfully caused the death of the patient, Ugorobi, by neglect of application of anaesthetic before and after surgery and the alleged offence was committed on 21st October, 2023 at 20, Michael Adekoya Street, Ilupeju, Lagos.
The counsel to the first defendant told the Court that he filed a bail application dated 22nd March 2024, and urged the Court to grant Dr Atiba bail on liberal terms.
“We are pleading that the first defendant be admitted to bail because he is a medical doctor and he is into the business of saving lives and not taking lives.”
“He is not at any risk that he would not present himself for trial, I move in terms of the motion,” he said.
The second defence counsel, Mr. A. O. Fayemi, moved the application for bail dated 21st March, 2024 and urged the Court to grant his client bail on self recognition.
Fayemi, in his 31 paragraph affidavits, said the second defendant had served the nation as a Consultant Orthopedic for over 30 years.
“The second defendant is a Consultant, who has served this nation as a Consultant Orthopedic with the National Orthopedic Hospital.”
“He is not a young man that would not attend Court.
He is a Consultant Medical Practitioner and he has a clinic at Ilupeju.
He is a person who will present himself for trial and I urge your lordship to grant him bail on libra terms,” he said.
Justice Oyindamola Ogala, in her ruling, granted the defendants bail in the sum of N5m each with two sureties each in like sum, who must be resident within the Court’s jurisdiction.
She added that the sureties must present credible home and office addresses as well as credible financial status and must present their BVN and NIN, evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, and explain their relationship with the defendants.
The matter was adjourned till 15th May, 2024, for commencement of trial.
The prosecution had alleged that the offence contravened Section 224 of the criminal laws of Lagos State.
The defendants were remanded in custody pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.