Lagos State government, yesterday, arraigned two medical doctors, Michael Atiba and Ugbeye Michael before the state High Court, Ikeja, over alleged involuntary manslaughter of a patient.

Atiba, a doctor at the Gbagada General Hospital and Michael, a consultant with the National Orthopedic Hospital were arraigned before Justice Oyindamola Ogala for allegedly causing the death of one Ejiro Ugorobi.

They were arraigned on one-count charge of involuntary manslaughter filed against them by the Lagos State government.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr. O. Azeez, told the court that the incident happened on October 21, 2023, at about 12:30 p.m, at No 20, Michael Adekoya Street, Ilupeju area of the state.

According to the prosecutor, the defendants (Atiba and Michael) unlawfully caused the death of one Ugorobi by negligent application of anesthetics before surgery and after surgery.

The prosecution said their offence contravened the provision of Section 224 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.

The duo pleaded not guilty to the charge and Azeez thereafter prayed the court for a trial date. “In view of the plea of the defendants, we are asking for a trial date,” he said.

Meanwhile, counsel to the defendants informed the court of their bail applications dated March 22 and 21, 2023, respectively.

The counsel to the first defendant told the court that he has filed a bail application and urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms.

The counsel said: “We are pleading that the first defendant be admitted to bail, he is a medical doctor and he is in the business of saving lives and not taking lives. He is not a flight risk that he would not present himself for trial. So, I move in terms of the motion.”

The second defendants’ counsel, Mr A. O. Fayemi, prayed the court to grant his client bail on self recognisance.

He noted that the second defendant has served this nation as an Orthopedic Consultant for over 30 years.

“The first defendant is a consultant who has served this nation as Orthopedic Consultants with the National Orthopedic Hospital. He is not a young man that would not attend court.

“He is a consultant and medical practitioner, who has a clinic at Ilupeju. He is a person who will present himself for trial. I urge your lordship to grant him bail on liberal terms,” he pleaded.

In a bench ruling, Justice Ogala granted the defendants bail in the sum of N5million, each, with two sureties each in like sum.

Justice Ogala ordered that the sureties must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction, present credible home and office addresses as well as credible financial status.

She also ordered the sureties to present the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN), payment of tax to Lagos State government and explain their relationship with the defendants.

The judge subsequently adjourned to May 15, 2024, for trial.