Two medical doctors, Michael Atiba and Michael Ugbeye, are currently on trial at the Ikeja High Court in Lagos State, presided over by Justice Oyindamola Ogala, for the death of a patient, Ejiro Ugorobi.
According to NEWS REVIEW, the Lagos State Government charged the doctors on March 25, 2024, accusing them of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the patient’s death. Both defendants have pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution counsel, A. O. Azeez, stated that Atiba, a doctor at Gbagada General Hospital, and Ugbeye, a consultant at the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Igbobi, Lagos, are facing one count of involuntary manslaughter. The charge, brought by the Lagos State Government, stems from an incident on October 21, 2023, on Michael Adekoya Street, Ilupeju, Lagos. The prosecution alleges that their actions violate Section 224 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
During the trial, the first witness for the prosecution, Nkechi Ugorobi, the mother of the deceased, testified about the events leading to her son’s death. She explained that on September 9, 2023, her son Ejiro, a 29-year-old electrical engineer working in marketing finance, had an accident while playing football, injuring his leg.
“Ejiro is my only son. He’s 29, an electrical engineer by training, and worked in marketing finance. We were close—he was my friend, adviser, and chatmate. On September 9, 2023, he called to tell me he had fallen while playing football and that his leg was swollen and in pain,” she said.
Nkechi added that her son sought treatment from Dr. Ugbeye at Morningside Specialist Hospital, where tests revealed he had a torn ligament. During the recovery, Ejiro worked from home and initially showed improvement as the swelling decreased, but he still experienced pain and difficulty walking.
She recounted that Ejiro informed her about undergoing a non-invasive surgery on October 21, 2023, with his sister by his side. After the surgery, he reported that it went well but soon experienced nausea, temperature fluctuations, and a heavy feeling in his leg. He later complained of weakness, shortness of breath, and palpitations before passing away.
“In October, Ejiro mentioned needing an MRI, and I suggested alternative treatments, but he insisted on surgery. He went through with it on October 21. He later told me the surgery was successful, but he was feeling unwell, mentioning nausea, cold and hot flashes, and a heavy leg. That was the last time I spoke with him.
After he woke up, he told me he was feeling weak, short of breath, and had palpitations. Ejiro died shortly after his surgery on October 21, 2023,” she said.
Justice Ogala adjourned the case to November 20, 2024, for the continuation of the trial and cross-examination of the prosecution’s second witness.
