Lagos doctor lands in remand for defiling minor

An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Wednesday, November 30, remanded the Medical Director of  Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Dr. Olufemi Olaleye, over alleged defilement of his wife’s 15-year-old niece.

The court remanded the 57-year-old medical practitioner after he took his plea on a two-count charge bordering on the defilement of a child and sexual assault by penetration preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.

Olaleye pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him and was granted bail of N50million with two sureties in like sum.

The judge, however, said the sureties must have landed property in Lagos State and must also provide evidence of tax payment in the last three years.

He also directed that the original documents of the property must be submitted to the registrar of the court.

Among the conditions of the bail granted him, the defendant must deposit his international passport including his British passport.

Earlier in the proceedings, the Defence Counsel, Mr. Babatunde Ogala, SAN, sought for bail of his client on the premise that the defendant-applicant is willing to go on in his trial because he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

He added that his professional colleagues are willing to stand as sureties and for the fact that he is a leading cancer non-governmental organisation treatment provider.

According to Ogala, “He is ready to provide reliable and credible sureties.

“He has not denied the fact that he has been under investigation in a matter that started in 2021, the defendant has not failed to appear before the police, he on his own walked into this court.”

However, the Director, Directorate of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins, argued that the condition for bail is well noted in the law, noting that the charge against him attracts life sentence. 

He said, “Though we haven’t been given any previous record of the accused.”

He urged the court to consider that the closeness of the complainant who is the wife and wife’s niece, may cause likelihood of interference of the witnesses.

Both counsels argued before the court, citing authorities to win the argument for bail or not.

Upon pronouncement of the bail conditions, a junior counsel asked that the judge allowed their client to perfect the bail within seven days.

Countering this oral submission, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Martins, said, “I have not heard of an extant rule permitting that.” 

The judge, however, ruled that the defendant be remanded in Ikoyi correctional facility until he meets his bail condition.  

Meanwhile, the judge has fixed trial for December, 19 and 21, 2022.