Two medical doctors were Monday re-arraigned before an Igbosere High Court, Lagos over alleged attempted murder of a 17-year-old patient.
The defendants, Ejike and Grace Orji, who are husband and wife, are standing trial on a new four-count charge bordering on attempted murder, causing grievous harm, negligent act and causing harm before Justice Adedayo Akintoye.
They were first arraigned on August 31, 2018 in a Magistratesโ Court and were granted bail.
Following Director Public Prosecution (DPP) advice, they were on May 28, arraigned before Igbosere High Court on a three-count charge which they pleaded not guilty and were granted N500, 000 bail each with two sureties each in like sum.
During resumed proceeding Monday, the Prosecutor, Mr Babatunde Sunmonu, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on July 26, 2018, at Excel Medical Centre in Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi in Lagos.
He said the couple attempted to murder a 17-year-old boy, one Somtochukwu Ezi-Ashi, by unlawfully causing grievous bodily harm to his left leg.
According to the prosecutor, the couple allegedly caused grievous harm on the 17-year-old boy by fixing a Plaster of Paris (POP) cast too tight on his leg without his consent or that of his parents.
Sunmonu said that the two doctors, who were not orthopaedic specialists, recklessly administered orthopaedic medical treatment to the minor, from his upper thigh to his toes and deliberately refused to remove the said POP when requested to do so.
He said that the defendants deliberately removed the POP in a manner that put the life of the boy at risk.
According to him, the defendants unlawfully inflicted wound to the left leg of the complainant โwhen they lacerated his toes with a saw blade and concealed the actโ.
He said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 230, 245, 251 and 252 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The couple pleaded not guilty.
Counsel to the defendant, Mr Sashore Supo (SAN), urged the court to allow the defendants continue to enjoy the previous bail conditions earlier granted them by the court.
The prosecutor opposed the bail application, saying that attempted murder was not included in the previous charge.
โWith the severity of the offence of attempted murder, I oppose the bail application,โ he said.
Justice Akintoye, in her ruling, granted the request of the defence.
She said โthe previous bail is to continue forthwith, the defendants should ensure they appear in court for their trial.
Justice Akintoye adjourned the case until November 27 for trial.
