The absence of a medical director, Femi Olaleye, alleged to have defiled a 15-year-old stalled his arraignment at Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court on Monday.
Olaleye was to be arraigned for the alleged defilement of a 15-year-old girl (name withheld).
The State Counsel, Mr Oluwagbenga Alagbe informed the court when the case was called, that they were ready for arraignment but unfortunately, Olaleye was not in court.
Alagbe told the court that the prosecution had done the needful in a letter dated November 18, sent to the suspect by the Investigating Police Officer, IPO, to notify all parties of today’s proceedings.
He subsequently urged the court to issue a bench warrant on the doctor.
The defence counsel, Mr Babatunde Ogala, SAN, in his response, apologised for his client’s absence, noting that he was out of town as at the time the letter was sent to him.
He argued that the suspect was not served but they were ready to receive the processes on his behalf.
Ogala urged the court to grant them further dates while assuring the court that he would be available at the next date of adjournment.
Justice Ramon Oshodi thereafter adjourned the arraignment of Olaleye until Nov. 30, following the appeal of his counsel.
The Lagos State Government had sent a letter of notification titled, “State of Lagos vs Dr Olufemi Olaleye,” signed by the Principal State Counsel of the Department of Public Prosecutions, Mr Oluwagbenga Alagbe to the office of the medical doctor to make provision for a legal practitioner of his choice.
