Two Doctors Arraigned For Alleged Manslaughter
Two medical doctors Michael Atiba and Ugbeye Michael were arraigned before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja over alleged involuntary manslaughter of a patient Ejiro Ugorobi.
Atiba a doctor at the Gbagada hospital and doctor Michael a consultant with the National orthopedic hospital are facing a count charge of involuntary manslaughter preferred against them by the Lagos State government.
The State prosecution counsel A. O. Azeez, told the court that the offence happened on October 21, 2023.
He said that the incident took place at about 12:30pm, at No 20, Michael Adekoya Street, Ilupeju area of the State.
The prosecutor told the court that the Atiba and Michael unlawfully caused the death of one Ejiro Ugorobi by neglect application of Anastatic before surgery and after surgery.
According to the prosecutor, the offence committed contravened Section 224 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.
However, the duo pleaded not guilty to the charge against them.
Thereafter Azeez, asked the court for a trial date.
He said ” In view of the plea of the defendants we are asking for a trial date.”
Meanwhile, Lawyers to the defendants informed the court of their bail applications both dated March 22 and 21, 2023, respectively.
The counsel to the first defendant (Atiba),Dr Mike .O (SAN), told the court that he filed a bail application dated March 22, 2024 and urged the court to grant Atiba bail on Libra term.
He said” We are pleading that the first defendant be admitted to bail, he is a medical doctor and he is in to 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”.
The counsel for the second defendant(Michael )A. O. Fayemi, while moving the application for bail dated March 21, 2024, asked the court to grant his client bail on self recognisance.
Fayemi stated that the application was on six grounds of 31 paragraphs, adding that the first defendant has served this nation for as a consultant orthopedic for over 30 years.
He said “The first 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, he has a clinic at Ilupeju, he is a person who will present himself for trial, I urge your lordship to grant him bail on libra terms”.
In a short ruling Justice Oyindamola Ogala granted the defendants bail in the sum of N5m, each, with two sureties each in like sum.
Justice Ogala said that the sureties must be resident within the Court’s jurisdiction, present credible home and office addresses, credible financial status.
She also ordered the sureties to present the BVN and NIN, payment of tax to Lagos State government, and explain their relationship with the defendants.
Consequently the Judge adjourned the case till May 15, 2024, for trial.
