At the continuation of trial of the medical doctor of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Dr. Olufemi Olaleye, an Investigative Police Officer, IPO, Insp Abe Leonard has testified as the sixth prosecution witness in the alledged defilement trial.
Giving evidence before Justice Ramon Oshodi of a Lagos State Sexual Offences Court, Ikeja, on Thursday, Insp Leonard told the court he served at Anthony Police Station while being led in evidence by the State Counsel, Mr. Babajide Boye.
In his testimony, the witness informed Justice Oshodi that the victim was 17 years old at the time the case was reported by the wife of the defendant, Mrs Aderemi Olaleye.
He explained that the case was reported at the station on November 29, 2021, at about 11:00 p.m.
According to him, “A case of indecent treatment of a child was reported and the DPO of the station, DSP. Patricia Amadi deployed a team of policemen to the house of the defendant.
“About two hours later, the defendant and his lawyer came into the station.
“The DPO called both parties to the office where she interviewed them and she also sent for a statement forms which was brought in by Sgt. Modupe Phillips,” the witness said.
He also said that he transferred the case to Gender Unit in Ikeja after he discovered that it was a case of indecent treatment of a child and defilement.
Inspector Leonard added that the survivor told him that the defendant allegedly engaged her in sexual activities sometimes in 2019.
“I visited the scene of the incident but I did not get access to the house.
“I advised the parties to go to Gender unit in Ikeja because Anthony Division has less power to investigate such cases.
“The survivor told me that the defendant had sex with her sometimes in 2019 but the defendant denied it, stating that the survivor is like a daughter to him.
“However, the wife of the defendant, told me that the survivor confessed to her before coming to the station.
The court therefore admitted statements of the witness and statement of the defendant’s wife, Mrs. Aderemi Olaleye into evidence.
While under cross-examination by the Defence Counsel, Mr. Babatunde Ogala, SAN, the witness confirmed to the court that the complainant did not submit the survivor for medical examination while at Anthony Police Station but he was aware that a medical examination was conducted at the Gender Section.
He added that he could not gain access to the house because the defendant’s wife was not at home and that the defendant was with them at the station.
“Mrs. Olaleye was not at home to to give access to the house and her husband was with us at the station.
“I can not remember the date I visited the house and on the second occasion I tried to go, I put a call to her but her number was not going through,” the witness said.
He maintained that the case was transferred to Gender Section because the station (Anthony) had limited power to investigate the defilement and rape cases.
The trial judge Justice Oshodi adjourned the case until February 10 for continuation of trial.
