Trial of the medical doctor of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Dr. Olufemi Olaleye continued on Tuesday.
Dr. Olaleye is standing trial for a two-count charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration against his wife’s niece.
To that end, Justice Ramon Oshodi of the Lagos State Special and Sexual Offences Court in Ikeja, listened to the evidence of the third prosecution witness, a child forensic interview specialist, Mrs. Olabisi Anike Ajayi-Kayode, of Cece Yara Foundation.
Ajayi-Kayode testified that she conducted interview on the 15-year-old survivor (name withheld) who claimed that the embattled medical doctor lured her into several sexual activities.
The child advocate who is also a lawyer, while being led in evidence by the Directorate of Public Prosecution, DPP, Dr. Babajide Martins, informed the court that the defendant serially engaged the child in sexual activities.
According to her testimony, Ajayi-Kayode said, “The aunt’s husband has been engaging the child in sexual activities over a period of time, not just one time and he used threat and coercion.
“He used his disposition as the aunt’s husband to gain access to the child for sexual activity. And the threat and coercion was to maintain control over the child.”
She added, “And he took advantage of the girl’s naivety by telling her that virginity is no longer in vogue.”
She also explained how she and her seven member team asked the survivor various questions in order to elicit information from her as well as how she supported actors in the administration of justice sector and facilitated investigation on sexual abuse, documented and reported her findings.
While narrating to the court, she explained that the child informed her that when the defendant wanted to have sex with her, he asked her, “Are you still a virgin? Why are you still a virgin and that virginity is no longer in vogue.”
She also said that she was told by the victim that the defendant could cover up for girls who have given up their virginity or who have gotten pregnant.
She however said the defendant also said to her that the decision is yours.
Speaking further, the witness said the girl narrated to her that she was sexually abused when the defendant started by touching her and running his fingers in her private part.
After the expert’s narration, the prosecution counsel asked the court to admit the witness findings and certificate of complaince.
While cross examining of the witness, Babatunde Ogala, SAN, tried to fault her evidence stating that she drew conclusions based on her interaction with the child.
She responded that she also spoke with psychologist and the police.
Asking her if she saw the medical report before speaking with the victim, she replied: “I didn’t see any medical report but the DPP told her about a medical report.
She also claimed that she was not told the date of the incidence by the victim but that she painted a scenario.
She was also asked by the defence counsel, “Did you take time to interact with the Gender Desk and medical doctor?,” she replied, “I remember calling the police to ascertain what was going on?”
Meanwhile, Dr. Martins objected to the line of questioning, he said it appears the learned silk is having some assumption.
The judge however intervened that his question should be direct.
Justice Oshodi however adjourned till January 4, 2023 for continuation of trial.
