…pleads not guilty to defilement
Justice Ramon Oshodi of the Sexual Offences Court in Ikeja has remanded the embattled medical director, Dr. Olufemi Olaleye of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation in Ikoyi Correctional Facility on Wednesday till he perfects his bail conditions.
He was remanded following denial of an allegation of a two-count charge of defilement and sexual penetration against a minor levied against him. The defendant pleaded not guilty at his arraignment.
The judge however granted him bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum, the sureties must have landed property in Lagos State.
Both sureties must also provide evidence of tax payments in the last three years.
Among the conditions of the bail granted him, the defendant must deposit his international passport including his British passport.
The judge stated, the original documents of the property must be submitted to the court’s registrar.
Earlier in the proceedings, the Defence Counsel, Mr. Babatunde Ogala, SAN, sought for bail 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 a life sentence.
He said: “Though we haven’t been given any previous record of the accuse.”
He urged the court to consider that the closeness of the complainants who is the wife and wife’s niece, may cause a 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 its 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 a correctional facility. Meanwhile, the judge has fixed the trial for December, 19 and 21, 2022.
At least nine Child Rights Groups, in a press statement, said that the journey for justice in the case of the minor sexually violated by Femi has started in court beginning with his arraignment.
The statement is signed by Adesina Ogunlana-Rambinba, Anthonia Ojenagbon- Tonia Bruised but not Broken, Toyin Ndidi Taiwo-Ojo- Stop The Abuse Against Women and Children Foundation, Aderonke Oyelakin- Lagos Child Protection Network, Jite Ellen- Be inspired Empowerment Society of Nigeria, Bimbo Odukoya Foundation, Rose Ume – Mum2Mum Empowerment Foundation, Nimi Ekere – Smile and Shine Children’s Foundation and Ebenezer Omejalile –Advocate for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network.
The organisation states, “It is noteworthy that today (Wednesday) makes it exactly one year since the case was first reported to the police. Although, the court in its wisdom and using its discretionary power granted him bail which is his constitutional right. We are assured that justice will be done in this particular matter. We also want to commend the Lagos State government, especially the office of the Directorate for Public Prosecutions (DPP) for ensuring that the cry of the survivor was heard.”
The group further stated: “This is also to sound a note of warning to paedophiles and perpetrators of sexual abuse that the long arm of justice may be slow but it will surely grind. As a coalition of advocates fighting against sexual and gender-based violence, we want to reiterate that we would not stop speaking up against such cases no matter the intimidation. Finally, we want to encourage anyone who has been sexually abused to please speak up and stop being shamed. Do not be forced into silence by your family, the abuser or the society at large.”
