A Nigerian doctor identified as Dr. Olufemi Olaleye may have his entire life spent behind the walls of prison after a court found him guilty of defilement.
Olaleye who is the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation was convicted on Tuesday, 24 October by the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court for defiling his wife’s niece when she was 15/16years old.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Rahman Oshodi disclosed that the prosecution – Lagos State Government had proofs and strong evidence against the defendant (Dr Olaleye) to show he committed the crime.
Background: How Olaleye’s Woes Started
Dr Olaleye’s woes started on November 30, 2022 when he was arraigned on a two-count charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration of the minor.
Olaleye was alleged to have defiled the minor between December 2019 and July 2022 when she lived with his family in Lagos.
Olaleye was arrested and arraigned after his wife found out and made a formal report to the police 19months after, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins disclosed.
Witnesses Statement Against Dr. Olaleye
During the arraignment of Dr Olaleye, six witnesses according to the prosecution were called to testify against him.
The witnesses who were the minor, a medical doctor, Dr Olaleye’s wife, a child care expert and two police officers involved in the investigation, and corroborated their testimonies against the defendant.
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In his defence, Dr Olaleye who testified in his case, his longtime friend and a forensic physician faulted the medical evidence presented by the Lagos State government. He however pleaded not guilty to the charges slammed on him.
Dr Olaleye Wife’s Testifies in Court Her Husband
Despite her husband’s not guilty plead, Mrs Aderemi Olaleye who testified un court disclosed that her husband had been sexually abusing the minor while she lived with them in their matrimonial home.
She revealed that she found out her husband was taking undue advantage of her niece when the girl confessed to her aunt and family driver, stating that the accused (her husband) threatened to kill her if she disclosed the act to anyone.
Mrs Olaleye who is a mother of two testified under oath stating that, ”My Lord, on November 27 2022, my second cousin told my aunty who is my mother’s sister that since March 2020, Femi has been sexually abusing her and introduced her to pornography, from there he graduated to oral sex with her, that he does this in different places where there are no cameras”.
Dr Olaleye Pleads for Leniency
Following the weight of the accusation, Dr. Olaleye’s lawyer, Adebisi Oridate pleaded for the court for leniency, stating that the accused is a medical doctor who offers services to cancer patients especially women.
Olaleye’s counsel told the court that the State recognizes his service as well as him being a first-time offender, revealed that Olaleye has lost his business and family following the prosecution.
However, Oridate who pleaded leniency for the defendant noted that he has an aged mother who depends on him and prayed the learned silk to have mercy on him.
Justice Oshodi Gives Verdict on the Matter
In the judgment delivered, Justice Oshodi noted that all the evidence evaluated during trial was ”compelling”and that Dr. Olaleye’s confessional statement before his former counsel, Mr Olalekan Buruju and the Divisional Police Officer at Anthony Police Station proved that he committed the offences.
The judge held that Olaleye said in the statement that he regretted his act.
Also, Justice Oshodi who described the medical doctor as a dangerous offender who lacked remorse during trial, said his denial statement during trial hold not water.
Justice Oshodi read, ”You acknowledged that you are a sex addict in your confession but came to this court and told lies. You showed no remorse, and it shows that you’re a dangerous man.
”The survivor to your knowledge is a child but you forced her to watch pornography, rub her breasts and put your penis in her mouth. You penetrated her repeatedly”, Justice Oshodi added.
In the sentence, Justice Oshodi noted that the court found Olaleye guilty of the offence.
Justice Oshodi said, ”By the laws of Lagos State, I am compelled to hand you a sentence of life imprisonment on each count of your offence, but your counsel has said that you are a first-time offender and a doctor of cancer patients.
”I hereby sentence you to life imprisonment on both counts one and two.
Meanwhile, Justice Oshodi directed Olaleye to have his name penned down in the Sexual Offences Register of the Lagos State Government, stating that his offences contravenes the provision of Sections 137 and 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
