Child Defilement: Trial of Lagos medical doctor Femi Olaleye suffers setback

The trial of a medical director, Femi Olaleye has suffered a setback on Monday.

Olaleye is alleged to have defiled a 16-year-old girl, but his arraignment at Ikeja Domestic Violence and S3xual Offences Court on Monday was stalled.

It was gathered that the doctor’s arraignment couldn’t take place because he was absent.

The State Counsel, Mr Oluwagbenga Alagbe, informed the court when the case was called informed the court that they were ready for arraignment but unfortunately, Olaleye was not in court.

Alagbe told court that the prosecution had done the needful in a letter dated November 18, sent to the suspect, the Investigating Police Officer, IPO, to notify all parties of todays proceedings.

He subsequently urged the court to issue a bench warrant against him.

The defence counsel, Mr Babatunde Ogala, SAN, in his response, apologised for his client’s absence, noting that he was out of town as at the time the letter was sent to him.

He argued that the suspect was not served but they were ready to receive the process on his behalf.

Ogala urged the court to grant them further dates while assuring the court that he would be available at the next date of adjournment.

Justice Ramon Oshodi adjourned the arraignment of Olaleye until Nov. 30, following his absence in court.

There was a mild drama after the court proceedings, where one of the counsels Mr. Olusegun Fabunmi, SAN, who appeared for Olaleye harassed and humiliated a group of journalist for capturing the event.

Fabunmi, ordered the judge audile, Gbadamosi to seize the phones being used by the reporters, arguing that journalists do not have right to video recording outside courtroom.

The Lagos State Government had sent a letter of notification titled, “State of Lagos vs Dr Olufemi Olaleye,” signed by the Principal State Council of DPP, Mr Oluwagbenga Alagbe to the office of the medical doctor to make provision for a legal practitioner of his choice.