2 medical doctors re-arraigned over attempted murder

Two medical doctors, a husband and wife, were on Monday re-arraigned by the Lagos State government before a Lagos High Court, sitting in Igbosere over attempted murder of a 17-year-old patient. The defendants, Ejike and Grace Orji, are facing a four-count charge bordering on attempted murder, causing grievous harm and negligent act causing harm. The […]

Two medical doctors, a husband and wife, were on Monday re-arraigned by the Lagos State government before a Lagos High Court, sitting in Igbosere over attempted murder of a 17-year-old patient.

The defendants, Ejike and Grace Orji, are facing a four-count charge bordering on attempted murder, causing grievous harm and negligent act causing harm.

The duo however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Earlier, the prosecuting counsel, Babatunde Sunmonu, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on July 26, 2018, at Excel Medical Centre in Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

Sunmonu said the defendants attempted to murder a 17-year-old boy, one Somtochukwu Ezi-Ashi, by unlawfully causing grievous bodily harm to his left leg.

The prosecutor said the couple caused grievous harm to the boy by fixing a Plaster of Paris (POP) cast too tight on his leg without his consent or that of his parents.

He said the two doctors, who were not orthopaedic specialists, recklessly administered orthopaedic medical treatment on the minor from his upper thigh to his toes and deliberately refused to remove the said POP when requested to do so.

Sunmonu also said the defendants later deliberately removed the POP in a manner that put the life of the boy at risk.

He further stated that the defendants unlawfully inflicted wound to the left leg of the complainant “when they lacerated his toes with a saw blade and concealed the act”.

According to him the offence is contrary to and punishable under sections 230, 245, 251 and 252 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Counsel to the defendant, Olasupo Sashore (SAN), urged the court to allow the defendants to continue to enjoy the previous bail earlier granted them by the court.

Despite the objection of the prosecutor, the trial judge, Justice Adedayo Akintoye, in her ruling, said “the previous bail is to continue forthwith” and that the defendants should ensure they appear in court for their trial.

The judge subsequently adjourned the case until November 27 for trial.