A medical doctor, Dr. Olufemi Olaleye of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation standing trial for alleged defilement and sexual penetration of his wife’s niece has denied any sexual abuse against the minor during her stay with his family.
The defence witness, who is also an health care management consultant and social entrepreneur has been married to his wife for 12 years.
While giving evidence at the commencement of his defence on Friday, the embattled father of two children narrated to the trial judge, Justice Ramon Oshodi, of the Domestic and Sexual Offences Court, Ikeja that he did not defile the alledged survivor, but that he is only being accused by his wife, Aderemi Olaleye.
Led in evidence-in-chief by Babatunde Ogala, SAN, the defendant said on oath, that the testimony of the minor was incorrect.
Recall that the defendant’s wife in her evidence-in-chief led by Dr. Babajide Martins, Director, Department of Public Prosecution, DPP, testified thus: “My lord, on 27th November, 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 home where there are no cameras.
At the court’s hearing, Dr. Olaleye countered this evidence.
According to him, the allegation surfaced after the couple had a serious misunderstanding.
The witness told the judge that the marriage between the couple was a rocky relationship because of his wife’s alledged deceptions and extra-marital affair.
He referred to to his wife, as Mrs. Anthonia Ijeoma Yetunde Fagbemi.
“During the course of the marriage, Anthonia, I mean (Remi) continued to have extra-marital affairs which I confronted her with this, she also took a loan to buy a car, which I confronted her.
He explained that the young lady was brought to their matrimonial house without his knowledge and consent.
He claimed further, “When my late mother-in-law came to stay with me and my family. Before she passed away, she left a note which was read to me and few other family members that this young girl should be returned back to the village.
He added that in the voice of Anthonia’s mother, “I know Remi.”
He said after her funeral, the girl was living with his family. He informed the court, “I said take her to the village, but she said she failed her WAEC and would rewrite it before she return her. He said that the alledged survivor was 18 in 2019 and that she lived with them for almost two years. Olaleye noted that the same week the girl left the house, he was evicted from his own house in Maryland.
He also said that the girl leaves the guest room to sleep in the children’s room at night.
Giving a description of his house, “My room is upstairs. I sleep in same bedroom with my wife every night. “For security purpose, I installed four external Closed Circuit Television, CCTV, and four internal CCTV cameras.
He narrated that shortly after the alledged survivor started living with them, his wife compelled him to install additional eight cameras, making 16. The cameras covered all angles, every room with exception of toilet, camera was pointing into the sitting room, including the study.
He explained that because of his busy life, he didn’t have opportunity to watch the footage of the CCTV.
He said the cause of the major quarrel between him and his wife was because his wife asked that she transfer ownership of his house to the children.
According to him, “I had just finished paying all encumbrance and she saw that her name was not on it.
“I told her it’s my property but for you and my children.
Following their fight, Dr. Olaleye said he threatened that he was no longer interested in their marriage.
“I came back on the 28th November, that is, on Sunday. My children drew my attention to the fact that their mother beat the alledged survivor. They advised that I should go and check the CCTV.
Dr. Olaleye disclosed in his evidence an alledged assualt on the girl, “A brutal assault lasting over 10 minutes with iron, using a hammer, footwear on this defenceless young lady that lived in my house.
“My attempt to find out what was wrong was met with more insult between me and my wife, threatening that she was going to do same to the girl.
“I continued to protect her and drove out of my house with the young girl.
He added that his wife was already insinuating things about him.
“In the evening, when I returned home, I met my wife and her sister, Aunty Tessy speaking in their native language. I did not understand but it dawned on me after their discussion that they were formulating a plan.
“They did not address the issue I brought to their attention. They were bringing up issue of I possibly sexually molesting ( names withheld), an accusation I find very embarrassing and evil. On 29th Monday, I received a call from a friend in UK and a WhatsApp message with a video recording.”
He added that in the evening, he received an invitation to report to the Police station.
“I was informed of an allegation by Remi, the complainant, that I was sexually molested. I was detained for six days. My lord, in the course of the six days, I didn’t have access to my phone, I was released after signing an undertaking and released on bail.
“I tried to contact my wife and she made it clear that I’m not allowed and welcome to the house. I said if you are not longer interested in the marriage, get a divorce. I tried to reconcile with her and sort out the misunderstanding.
“Four months later, I was invited to the Gender Department. The allegation were repeated to me and I denied having any such. Then I was detained, this time around I had a lawyer who was obviously wanting to know. I was detained for eight days before I was released on bail.
“Remi reached out to my cousin that she wanted mediators to come to our home. The outcome of the meeting was that she proposed conditions that before I could be released at the Gender. They asked her for the list and her lawyer drafted up a Memorandum of Understanding, MOU, which was brought to me at the Gender section of the Police station. I was told that I have to sign this MOU in addition to a trust form to transfer the ownership of my house to the children.
“Initially, she wanted to transfer the house to her name but I refused, Olaleye said.
The judge adjourned till May 22, 2023 for continuation of trial.
