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Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, yesterday, remanded the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Dr Femi Olaleye in Ikoyi correctional facility pending the perfection of bail, for allegedly abusing a 16-year-old girl sexually.
Justice Raheem Oshodi ordered Olaleye ‘s remand after he was arraigned on a two-count charge of defilement brought against him by the State Government.
The medical doctor was charged with allegedly defiling and sexually assaulting his wife’s 16-year-old niece by penetration.
His offence contravened Sections 137 and 261 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
However, the defendant’s lead counsel, Mr. Babatunde Ogala, (SAN), prayed the court to grant Olaleye bail on liberal terms.
Moving his bail application dated November 24, 2022, Ogala prayed to the court to grant the defendant bail.
he counsel argued that the accused had cancer patients who looked up to him for his service, noting that he would not be productive if remanded in prison.
In urging the court to use its discretion to grant the defendant bail, Ogala noted that the accused appeared voluntarily in court after he was served the information.
Responding, the prosecution led by the Director of the Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins told the court he had filed a counter affidavit dated November 28, 2022.
The DPP submitted that the nature of the charge was serious enough to remand the defendant because it attracts life imprisonment.
Dr. Martins also argued that the complainant was the first wife of the defendant, while the victim was a niece to the wife.
However, after citing decided cases, Justice Oshodi granted the defendant bail to the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum.
The judge ordered that the sureties must have landed properties in Lagos and that the original documents of the properties must be submitted to the court’s Chief Registrar (CR).
He further ordered that the defendant must submit his British, Nigerian and other international passports in his possession to the CR, while the addresses of the sureties must be verified by the Chief Registrar of the court.
The judge subsequently adjourned to December 19, for the commencement of trial.