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.
A Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Iyaganku, Ibadan, has ordered the remand of three individuals in connection with last week’s tragic stampede at Bashorun Islamic High School, which claimed the lives of 35 children and left many others injured.
The accused include Abdullahi Fasasi, the school’s principal; Alhaji Oriyomi Hamzat, proprietor of Agidigbo FM; and Naomi Silekunola, estranged wife of the Ooni of Ife. The trio was arraigned by the Oyo State Police Command on Tuesday, before Chief Magistrate Olabisi Ogunkanmi.
The court proceedings, held under heightened security, drew a large crowd of family members and concerned citizens. According to the police prosecutor, the defendants face four counts, including charges under Section 324 of the Criminal Code, Cap. 38, Vol. II, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.
After hearing the charges, Chief Magistrate Ogunkanmi ruled that the accused be remanded at the Agodi Correctional Center, pending further directives from the state prosecutor.
Southern Governors Pay Condolence Visit
In a related development, Southern governors, led by the Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, paid a condolence visit to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
Addressing reporters after the visit, Governor Abiodun described the stampede as a tragic turn of events from a well-intentioned initiative. He urged non-governmental organizations to collaborate with government agencies to ensure better planning for charity programs.
“I am here on behalf of myself, my family, the people of Ogun State, and the Southern Governors’ Forum to commiserate with Governor Makinde and the people of Oyo State on the unfortunate incident of December 18, 2024,” Abiodun said.
“The entire Southern governors are deeply pained by this tragedy. In Ogun State, we believe anything that affects Oyo State affects us as well. Our prayer is that such an incident never happens again. We will continue to hold the bereaved families and the people of Oyo State in our prayers.”
The Southern Governors’ Forum also expressed solidarity with the affected families, praying for the repose of the departed souls and quick recovery for those injured.
A Magistrate Court sitting in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, has granted human rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, bail to the tune of ₦30 million. The court also mandated Farotimi to provide three sureties with landed properties within its jurisdiction.
As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered Farotimi to refrain from granting media interviews and to submit his international passport to the authorities. The case has been adjourned to February 13, 2025, for further proceedings.
Farotimi, who had been remanded at a correctional center in Ado Ekiti, arrived at the court premises on Friday at approximately 9:45 a.m. He was conveyed in a prison van accompanied by a police escort. Upon arrival, the embattled lawyer raised his hands in appreciation of a cheering crowd that had gathered outside the court to show their solidarity.
The human rights advocate is facing prosecution for allegedly defaming a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Afe Babalola. His arrest has ignited widespread public outcry, with many Nigerians and civil society groups condemning the action and demanding his immediate release.
Farotimi’s detention and subsequent arraignment have fueled debates about the boundaries of free speech and defamation laws in Nigeria, with critics arguing that the case may stifle dissenting voices in the country.
Police operatives have apprehended a 25-year-old man, Enediong Bassey, in possession of a pump-action gun concealed in a bag of rice at Nkwelle-Ezunaka.
The suspect, a native of Ikono Local Government Area in Akwa Ibom State, was arrested on November 22, 2024, at 6:38 pm following credible intelligence.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.
The statement revealed that officers attached to the 3-3 Divisional Headquarters, led by CSP Emeka Obi, acted swiftly to intercept Bassey.
During interrogation, he admitted to being a member of a local vigilante group but confessed to plans of absconding with the weapon to join a criminal gang involved in armed robbery and other illicit activities.
“Given the above and following other complaints and unprofessional conduct by some security outfits and vigilante members, the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, in line with the principles of community policing, reiterates the calls for profiling of security operatives assisting the police and other security agencies on anti-crime operations to improve safety in the state,” the statement read.
In light of the situation, the Commissioner of Police has directed the immediate transfer of the suspect to the command’s anti-robbery squad for a thorough investigation.
The Anambra State Police Command reassured residents of its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of lives and property, urging vigilance and collaboration with law enforcement.
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