Lagos Government Charges 2 Doctors With Involuntary Murder

Monday, March 25, witnessed the arraignment of two doctors, Michael Atiba and Ugbeye Michael, before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja. They were charged with involuntary manslaughter in relation to the passing of a patient, Ejiro Ugorobi.

The State Government brought accusations against Atiba, who was connected to Gbagada Hospital, and Michael, a consultant at the National Orthopaedic Hospital.

The state prosecutor, A. O. Azeez, claims that the event happened at No. 20, Michael Adekoya Street, Ilupeju, on October 21, 2023, at about 12 p.m.

Azeez claimed that Atiba and Michael violated Section 224 of the Lagos State Criminal Law by failing to provide anesthesia before and after surgery, which resulted in Ejiro Ugorobi's death in 2015.

The state prosecutor requested a trial date after the defendants entered a not guilty plea, and the judge granted it on May 15, 2024.

He stated, “In view of the plea of the defendants, we are asking for a trial date.”

Comparably, Oyeyinka Oyetunde, a different medical professional, stood before an Ikeja Special Offenses Court, where he was accused of involuntary manslaughter for allegedly causing a patient's death through incompetence.

Oyetunde entered a not guilty plea to the accusation.

He was accused by the Lagos State Government of neglecting to give a patient at Ajibade Oke St. in Isolo, adequate care, on June 16, 2020.

Abayomi Omotunbora, the defense attorney, requested bail on Oyetunde's behalf, referencing an administrative bail that was approved by an Ebute Meta Chief Magistrate Court.

The motion for release was granted by Judge Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe, who also mandated that Oyetunde produce proof of bail within seven days.

The accused offense contravenes Section 229 of Lagos State's 2015 Criminal Law.