The arraignment of alleged rapist medical doctor, Femi Olaleye, before Justice Rahmon Oshodi of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja, Lagos State, today, suffered a set back as he failed to appeared to answer the charge.
The defendant, hired two senior lawyers: Mr. Babatunde Ogala (SAN) and Mr.Olusegun Fabunmi ((SAN).
Leading the defence team, Ogala said his client was not properly served letter mandating him to appear before the court today.
He said that his client is ready to face the charge, but unfortunately, he can not appear before the court today because “he is out of town.”
The two silks are lead counsel to Dr. Olaleye, who allegedly raped his wife’s 15-year-old niece, as Justice Oshodi in his short ruling said today matter was stalled at the instance of defendant.
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 that unfortunately the defendant is not in court.
Alagbe told 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 he is out of town as at the time when a letter was sent to him.
He argued that the defendant was not served but 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 moved harassed a group of journalistsfor capturing the event.
The power drunked Fabunmi, in attempt to garg journalists from covering the matter was visibly seeing ordering a court security to collect the phone from one of the journalists, but the attempt failed.
He was further shouting: “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
