Lagos govt arrests two doctors over patient's death

The Lagos State Government docked two doctors, Michael Atiba and Michael Ugbeye, before an Ikeja High Court for their incompetence in causing the death of one Ejiro Ugorobi. A count of involuntary manslaughter has been preferred against Atiba, a physician at the Gbagada General Hospital, and Ugbeye, a consultant with a national orthopaedic hospital. 

The State Attorney, Mr. Olalekan Azeez, informed the court that by failing to administer anaesthesia both prior to and following operation, the two physicians had illegally contributed to Ugorobi's death. 

According to his submission, the defendants reportedly committed the offence at No. 20, Michael Adekoya St., Ilupeju, Lagos, on October 21, 2023, at around 12:30 p.m.

The defendants entered a not guilty plea to the charge; their residence addresses were withheld.

After their not guilty plea, State Counsel Mr. Olalekan Azeez requested a trial date.

The first defendant's attorney informed the court that he had submitted a bail application on March 22 and asked the judge to give Atiba lenient terms for his release.

“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.

In his bail application, filed on March 21, the second defence attorney, Mr. A. O. Fayemi, petitioned the court to give his client bail upon self-recognition.

According to Fayemi's 31-paragraph declaration, the second defendant had over 30 years of experience working as a consultant orthopaedic surgeon for the country.

In her decision, Justice Oyindamola Ogala gave the defendants bail of five million naira apiece, each with two sureties in the same amount.

According to Ogala, the sureties have to live in the court's territorial jurisdiction.

She went on to say that the sureties had to provide verifiable home and business addresses in addition to proof of their financial standing.

Ogala mandated that the sureties provide the Lagos State Government with proof of their tax payments, their BVN and NIN, and an explanation of their connection to the accused.

The case was postponed by the judge until May 15 in order to start the trial.

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