Crime & Court
Medical Director Sentenced to Life Imprisonment for Rape
The Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court has handed a life imprisonment sentence to Dr. Olufemi Olaleye, the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, for the defilement of his wife’s niece when she was 15/16 years old.
Justice Rahman Oshodi, in his judgment, confirmed that the prosecution, led by the Lagos State Government, had successfully proven the charges against the defendant, with a compelling body of evidence.
Dr. Olaleye faced arraignment on November 30, 2022, on two counts of defilement and sexual assault by penetration of the minor between December 2019 and July 2022, a period when she resided with their family.
The prosecution, under the guidance of Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions, Dr. Babajide Martins, disclosed that Olaleye had subjected his wife’s niece to sexual assault for approximately 19 months until the wife uncovered the truth and reported it to the police. The minor is now 18 years old.
Initially, Dr. Olaleye pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. However, the prosecution presented six witnesses to substantiate their case, including the minor, the defendant’s wife, a medical doctor, another childcare expert, and two police officers involved in the investigations. The defendant also testified in his defense, accompanied by a friend of over 40 years and a forensic physician who challenged the medical evidence provided by the prosecution.
Upon thorough evaluation of the evidence, Justice Oshodi found it to be “compelling.” The judge placed significant weight on Olaleye’s confessional statement, made before his former counsel, Mr. Olalekan Buruji, and the Divisional Police Officer at the Anthony Police Station in Lagos State. This statement expressed regret for his actions.
The judge rejected Olaleye’s denial of the statement during the trial.
Justice Oshodi described Dr. Olaleye as a dangerous offender who displayed no signs of remorse throughout the proceedings. The judge emphasized the gravity of Olaleye’s crimes, which included exposing the survivor to explicit material, inappropriate touching, and repeated sexual penetration.
Ultimately, the court found the defendant guilty of the offenses.
In a plea for leniency, counsel to the convict, Adebisi Oridate, emphasized Dr. Olaleye’s role as a medical doctor providing essential services, particularly to women with cancer-related ailments. Oridate also pointed out that Olaleye was a first-time offender who had suffered substantial personal and familial losses due to his incarceration.
In the sentencing phase, Justice Oshodi acknowledged the legal requirement to impose a life imprisonment sentence on each count of the offense but considered the defense’s argument regarding Olaleye’s first-time offender status and the medical profession. Consequently, the judge sentenced Dr. Olaleye to life imprisonment on both counts.
Additionally, Justice Oshodi ordered that Olaleye’s name be added to the Sexual Offences Register of the Lagos State Government.
During the trial, the convict’s wife, Aderemi Olaleye, testified that she became aware of the abuse when the survivor confessed to her and the family’s driver. The survivor disclosed that the doctor had been sexually abusing her and threatening her with harm if she revealed the truth.
The mother of two, who acted as the complainant, stated under oath, “My lord, on November 27, 2021, 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 in the house where there are no cameras.”
These offenses violate Sections 137 and 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Ola Olukoyede, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has raised concerns over widespread corruption in Nigeria’s electricity sector, attributing frequent national grid failures to fraudulent practices involving substandard materials.
Olukoyede made these remarks on Tuesday during a visit from the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja.
He revealed that ongoing investigations in the power sector had exposed disturbing levels of malpractice, often resulting in compromised infrastructure and recurrent grid collapses.
“As I am talking to you now, we are grappling with electricity. If you see some of the investigations we are carrying out within the power sector, you will shed tears,” Olukoyede stated.
He further explained that contractors awarded projects to supply electrical equipment were substituting recommended materials with cheaper, inferior alternatives.
“People who were awarded contracts to supply electricity equipment, instead of using what they call 9.0 gauge, they will buy 5.0,” he said, noting that such fraudulent practices contribute significantly to the country’s unstable power supply.
“So, every time you see the thing tripping off gets burnt, and all of that, it’s part of our problems.”
The EFCC boss disclosed that the agency would be intensifying efforts toward crime prevention rather than focusing solely on asset recovery.
He emphasized that future scrutiny would prioritize spending by government ministries and agencies to curb misappropriation at the source.
Crime & Court
Nigerian Man Wanted for Child’s Murder Added to U.S. Marshals’ “15 Most Wanted” List, $25,000 Reward Offered
A Nigerian man, Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, 48, is now among the U.S. Marshals Service’s “15 Most Wanted” list.
Authorities are offering a reward of up to $25,000 for any information that results in his arrest.
He is sought on charges including first-degree murder, causing serious bodily harm to a child, and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution, according to a report on the U.S. Marshals Service’s website.
Olawusi was charged with first-degree murder and two counts of causing serious bodily harm to a child after emergency personnel in Providence, Rhode Island, found his 3-month-old son with severe injuries on April 3, 2017.
The infant was in cardiac arrest and needed resuscitation to restore a pulse. A medical examination later revealed the child had 18 injuries in various stages of healing, consistent with prolonged abuse.
These injuries included a skull fracture, severe brain injury, and fractures to the ribs, clavicle, and limbs. Tragically, the child died six months later, despite life support efforts.
Providence Police initially arrested Olawusi on April 20, 2017, on charges of first-degree child abuse. He was released the same day but fled after the child’s death on October 31, 2017, at which point the charge was upgraded to murder.
In June 2017, Olawusi reportedly left the United States from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, traveling to Nigeria on his Nigerian passport. Authorities suspect he may be receiving support from relatives in Nigeria and have voiced concerns that he could pose a danger to other children.
“Mr. Olawusi is wanted for the abuse and murder of an innocent child, and has fled the country to avoid justice,” said U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis.
“We have placed Mr. Olawusi on our 15 Most Wanted list due to the heinous crimes he’s committed and the threat he continues to pose to the public. The USMS will exhaust all resources necessary to bring him to justice for his family and the community.”
Olawusi, also known as Olekun Olawusi, is described as approximately 5 feet 8 inches tall, weighing around 185 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Authorities encourage anyone with information regarding his whereabouts to contact the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332) or via the USMS Tips App.
The “15 Most Wanted” fugitive programme, established in 1983, identifies some of the most dangerous and high-profile fugitives in the U.S. Known for their extensive criminal backgrounds, these fugitives often pose significant risks to public safety.
Since its creation, the programme has led to the capture of over 250 high-risk individuals, including murderers, sex offenders, and organized crime figures.
In collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Marshals Service plays a crucial role in fugitive investigations.
In fiscal year 2023 alone, USMS-led fugitive task forces arrested over 73,000 fugitives and resolved nearly 86,000 warrants, demonstrating their commitment to public safety and justice.
Justice Maryanne Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued a public summons for former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to appear in court to respond to a fresh 16-count indictment.
The summons requires Bello to attend court on October 24 for his arraignment, alongside co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The public summons was ordered following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In her ruling, Justice Anenih directed the EFCC to publish the summons in a widely circulated newspaper to ensure proper notification.
Also, the court instructed the EFCC to post copies of the public summons at Bello’s last known address and in conspicuous locations within the court premises.
The EFCC has reported difficulties in serving the charges, which were filed on September 24, alleging that Bello and the two co-defendants committed a criminal breach of trust involving a staggering ₦110.4 billion.
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