Sexual Molestation: Lagos-based Doctor Arraigned, Remanded In Prison Custody

For allegedly being involved in defilement and sexual penetration against a minor, the embattled Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Dr. Olufemi Olaleye, was on Wednesday arraigned before Justice Ramon Oshodi of an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

Asides from being docked before the court by the Lagos State government, the judge also directed that he should be remanded in Ikoyi Correctional Facility.

The judge arrived at the decision after Dr. Olaleye pleaded not guilty to the charge bordering on defilement and sexual penetration of a minor.

However, Justice Oshodi granted the medical bail in the sum of N50m with two sureties in like sum, and the sureties must have landed properties in Lagos State.

According to Justice Oshodi, the sureties must provide evidence of tax payments in the last three years.

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

The judge further directed that original documents of the property must be submitted to the registrar of the court.

Before the remand order, Babatunde Ogala (SAN), who is counsel to Dr. Olaleye, had 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.

The SAN further argued 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, "He is ready to provide reliable and credible sureties.

Ogala hinted to the court that, “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 a life sentence.

Martins posited: “Though we haven’t been given any previous record of the accused.”

The prosecution counsel also prayed the judge to consider that the closeness of the complainants, who are the wife and wife’s niece, may cause the likelihood of interference of the witnesses.

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

Dr. Olaleye is being accused of raping the minor who was living with them at their residence after her father died.

The defendant was specifically accused of deflowering the minor after introducing her to pornography.

The charge designated ID/20289c/22, dated October 21, 2022, read thus: “Dr. Olufemi Olaleye (M) sometime between February 2020 and November 2021, at No. 17, Layi Ogunbambi Close, Maryland, Lagos State, in the Ikeja Judicial Division, did sexually assault one Blessing Ahamefula (F) aged 16 years by penetrating her mouth with your penis.”

The case has been adjourned until December 19 and 21, 2022.

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