The Lagos State Government has arraigned two medical doctors, Michael Atiba and Michael Ugbeye, before an Ikeja High Court over alleged involuntary manslaughter of a patient, Ejiro Ugorobi.
Atiba, a doctor at the Gbagada General Hospital and Ugbeye, a consultant with a national orthopedic hospital, are facing a count charge of involuntary manslaughter preferred against them by the Lagos State Government.
The defendants, whose residential addresses were not given, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Mr Olalekan Azeez, the State Counsel, asked for a trial date, following their not guilty plea.
He told the court that the defendants unlawfully caused the death of Ugorobi by neglect application of anaesthetic before and after surgery.
He submitted that the defendants allegedly committed the offence on October 21, 2023, at about 12:30 p.m. at No 20, Michael Adekoya St., Ilupeju, Lagos.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offence contravenes Section 224 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.
The counsel to the first defendant told the court that he filed a bail application dated March 22, 2024 and urged the court to grant 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.
Mr. A. O. Fayemi, the second defendant’s counsel, moved the application for bail dated March 21 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 orthopaedic for over 30 years.
His plea: “The second defendant is a consultant who has served this nation as a consultant orthopaedic with the National Orthopaedic 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 liberal terms.”
Justice Oyindamola Ogala, in her ruling, granted the defendants N5 million bail each with two sureties in like sum.
Ogala said the sureties must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction and must present credible home and office addresses as well as credible financial status.
The judge further ordered the sureties to present their Bank Verification and National Identity Numbers, evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government, and explained their relationship with the defendants.
The judge adjourned the case to May 15 for commencement of trial.