CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Police operatives of the Lagos State Command have arrested two suspects, Ogbonna Ruth, 26, and Orumwense Peter Osaze, and arraigned them for allegedly assaulting two female Doctors at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja.
The defendants were brought before an Ikeja Magistrate Court presided over by Mr L.A. Owolabi following an incident that reportedly occurred inside the premises of the teaching hospital, one of the busiest medical facilities in Lagos State.
According to the charge sheet, the defendants were arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy to commit assault occasioning harm, assault occasioning harm and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace.
The prosecutor, SP Josephine Ihkayere, told the court that the incident happened on August 25, 2026, at about 7:20am inside LASUTH, Ikeja, in the Ikeja Magisterial District.
She alleged that Ogbonna Ruth and Orumwense Peter Osaze, along with others now at large, conspired amongst themselves to commit assault occasioning harm, an offence contrary to Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
In the second count, the prosecution alleged that the duo assaulted Dr. Adedeji Oluwabukunmi and Dr. Effor Tracy, both medical practitioners on duty at the Hospital, by striking them, pulling their hair and causing injury on their lips in the process.
The third count alleged that the defendants conducted themselves in a manner likely to cause breach of peace by fighting the two Doctors in a public place inside the Hospital and injuring them, contrary to Section 170 and punishable under Section 173 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
The court heard that the alleged attack caused panic among patients, relatives and health workers who were within the hospital premises at the time of the incident.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them when the charges were read to them in court.
Magistrate L.A. Owolabi, after listening to the submissions of the prosecutor and the defence counsel, granted the defendants bail in the sum with two sureties who must show evidence of means of livelihood and evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government.
The court ordered that the defendants be remanded in the Correctional Center at Kirikiri Town pending when they will perfect their bail conditions.
The matter was adjourned to a later date for mention and further hearing, while the police say investigation is still ongoing to apprehend other suspects who are now at large.
It is important to note that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
