MICHAEL AKINOLA
It was double jeopardy for a 26-year old man, Akinbebije Seun, after he was admitted and treated at Davestar Hospital in Lagos State and was unable to pay his treatment bills of N372,000.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the patient, Seun, was arrested and charged for conduct likely to cause breach of public peace by not paying his hospital bills.
The incident happened at the Davestar Hospital located at Adewunmi Street, White House bus stop, Isheri Road, Ijegun area of Lagos.
According to the Police, the patient was admitted at the hospital, he promised that he will contact his family to pay the bills and was eventually treated by the management.
After the treatment, he contacted his family who were said to reside in Ibadan, Oyo State, but they disappointed him and did not send any money. He then decided to stay in the hospital and the management was not willing to let him go.
The matter was reported to the Police at Isheri Oshun Division and the patient was arrested from the hospital bed to the station for interrogation over his alleged conduct.
After interrogation, the Police found him culpable and charged him before the Ejigbo Magistrate Court for the alleged offence.
The charge read:
“That you, Akinbebije Seun, on the 2/01/2025 to 21/01/2025 at Davestar hospital, located at Adewunmi Street, White house Bus stop ljegun Road, in the Lagos magisterial district, did conduct yourself in a way and manner likely to cause a breach of the peace by not paying up your medical treatment bills which estimated to a total of N372, 000.00 (three hundred and seventy two thousand Naira) and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 168 (d) criminal law of Lagos state of Nigeria 2015.”
However, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor, Inspector Simeon Njue, then asked the Court to give a date for hearing since he pleaded not guilty to enable the Police to prove that he actually committed the alleged offence.
The Presiding Magistrate, Mr. T.A. Popoola, granted him bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties in like sum, who must show evidence of means of livelihood and tax payment while addresses will be verified by the Court.
The matter was adjourned till 27th February, 2025, for mention while the defendant was remanded in custody at the correctional center at Kirikiri town, pending when he will perfect his bail conditions.
