Court remands medical director for allegedly defiling wife’s niece
An Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court has remanded Dr. Olufemi Olaleye of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation in Ikoyi Correctional Custodial Centre for allegedly defiling his wife’s niece (names withheld).
Justice Ramon Oshodi remanded the suspect following his not-guilty plea to a two-count charge of defilement and sexual penetration against a minor brought against him by the State.
The suspect is to remain in the custody of the centre pending the perfection of his bail conditions within the next seven days failure of which it will be forfeited.
Justice Oshodi granted him bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.
The trial judge said the sureties must have landed property in Lagos State, must also provide evidence of tax payment in the last three years.
The judge ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport including his British passport with the court registrar while the original documents of the property of the sureties must be submitted to the registrar of the court for verification.
During proceedings, defence counsel, Babatunde Ogala (SAN) had sought for bail for his client on the ground that the defendant is willing to go on trial.
Ogala had argued that an accused person is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
He pleaded his integrity and that of his professional colleagues who he said 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. 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,” he argued.
However, Director Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins, opposed bail for the suspect arguing that the condition for bail is well noted in the law.
He pointed out that the charge against defendant attracts life sentence.
“Though we have not been given any previous record of the accuse.”
He however urged the court to consider that the closeness of the complainants who is the wife and wife’s niece, may cause likelihood of interference of the witnesses.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Oshodi granted the defendant bail but ordered his remand in a correctional facility pending perfection of bail.
The judge adjourned the matter till December 19 and 21 for trial.
(Nation)
