*Accused using position to evade prosecution, Groups allege
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the human rights community across Lagos have expressed concern over the lack of attention by authorities in the prosecution of cancer care specialist, Dr Femi Olaleye for allegedly defiling a minor, noting the law must take its course.
The call for Dr Olaleye’s prosecution is contained in a statement released on Wednesday in Lagos and signed by Comrade Gbenga Soloki, the Executive Director, Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence (CAIDOV).
Last month, human rights activist, Adeshina Ogunlana; rights activist and Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw; Lawyer and rights activist, Toyin Taiwo-Ojo, among others, called on the law enforcement community and relevant authorities in Lagos to ensure that Dr Olaleye is prosecuted.
They noted that medical evidence and a confessional statement by the accused were enough to expeditiously prosecute the matter.
The NGO disclosed that the matter of child defilement has been reported, and actions taken so far included letters to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), but the accused is still at large, attempting to subvert the course of justice by using his privileged position in society.
According to the statement by CAIDOV, “Dr Olaleye had admitted to having oral sex with the minor, (Ms Blessing Ahamaefule, a 17-year-old distant niece of his wife) on several occasions, since she was 16 years old,” hence he should be made to face the wrath of the law in order to serve as a deterrent to others.
It expressed concern that despite the gravity of the allegations and glaring evidence against the accused, he has been left off the hook by the police. The NGO however vowed to pursue the matter to a logical conclusion, in conjunction with other stakeholders.
“…to our consternation, the accused person is still walking freely, and being guided by Police Officers when he is supposed to be in Court answering questions for his reckless actions,” the statement quoted the NGO as saying.
A letter addressed to Mrs Olaleye – the accused’s wife, clearly shows his involvement in the crime.
The accused, had in an undertaking signed by himself and one AO Alaban as witness, and addressed to his wife, Mrs Aderemi Olaleye, admitted to committing the offence (having oral sex with his wife’s 16-year-old niece on several occasions).
The letter reads thus:
Dear Aderemi,
How I have wrong (my wife) Aderemi Olaleye (Mrs)
I disrespected my wife by approaching Blessing, my wife’s distant niece that is living with us since December 2019, for oral sex on several occasions. The said Blessing Ahamaefule was 16 years old in April 2020, up until when she was 17 years old.
All these happened in our matrimonial home for more than one year.
I carried out the act sometimes in the living room after waking up Blessing from sleep and taking her downstairs around 2 am.
I promised her financial reward for this indecent act and promised to deny it should my wife find out and this is the reason why Blessing was afraid to speak out but confided in the family driver.
I plan to make restitution by complying with all the written statements and undertaken to ensure that this shameful act does not repeat itself again.
Signed: Femi Olaleye
Signed: AO Alaban
The NGO called on authorities concerned to expedite action in the matter and ensure that Dr Olaleye does not go unpunished regardless of his status in society, noting that “failure to arrest and prosecute the accused person will amount to the Police aiding child molestation and subverting the course of justice”.
The groups are calling for greater commitment by the Lagos State government and relevant authorities in ensuring that Dr Olaleye was brought to book.