Justice in danger as SANS stall arraignment of Optimal Healthcare MD for rape

 

Admin l Monday, November 21, 2022

 

IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria,  Mr. Babatunde Ogala, SAN  and  Mr. Olusegun Fabunmi today put up unbelievable charade in court and succeeded in stalling the proposed arraignment of the Managing Director of Optimal Healthcare Hospital, Dr. Femi Olaleye for raping his wife’s niece.

The MD was to be arraigned by before Justice Rahmon Oshodi of the Domestic and Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja for raping his wife’s 15 year old niece.

But the defendant failed to appear before the court at the instance of the defence team,  Justice Oshodi told the court in a short ruling.

The two silks are lead counsel to Dr. Olaleye, who allegedly raped his wife’s 15-year-old niece.. When the matter was called, Mr. Olugbenga Alagbe who announced his appearance for the state, informed the court that they are ready for trial, but noted  unfortunately that the defendant is not in court.

Alagbe told the court that the prosecution had done the needful in a letter dated November 18, sent to the defendant, the Investigating Police Officer, IPO, to notify all parties of todays proceedings. He subsequently urged the court to issue a bench warrant against him.

In a response, the defence counsel,  Ogala, apologised for his absence noting that the Optimal Healthcare Hospital MD is out of town as at the time when a letter was sent to him.

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

Mr Ogala urged the court to grant them further dates while assuring the court that he will be available at the next date to answer his trial. In his ruling, Justice Oshodi adjourned till Nov 30, for possible arraignment.

After the proceedings, there was a mild drama, where one of the Senior Advocate who appears for Dr Olaleye, Mr. Fabunmi, shortly after the proceedings outside the court premises swiftly  verbally assaulted  some group of journalists for capturing the event.

The power drunk Fabunmi, in attempt to gag journalists from covering the matter was visibly seen ordering a court security to collect the phone from one of the journalists, but the attempt failed.

The SAN who threw caution to the wind shouted on top of his voice:  “You can’t record this matter, security, collect the phone from him, they don’t have right to video recording outside courtroom, ” Fabunmi said.

Olaleye was accused of raping the minor who was living with them at their residence in the state after her father died. It was learnt that the doctor allegedly deflowered the minor after introducing her to pornography.

Olaleye was said to have perpetrated the crime for about 19 months until the wife discovered and reported to the Lagos State Police Command for investigation