Popular Nigerian cancer care advocate, Dr Femi Olaleye, a medical practitioner based in Lagos, is to be arraigned in court on Monday for the rape of his wife’s 15-year-old niece.
Olaleye, who is the founder of Optimal Care Centre in Surulere, was said to have sexually molested his wife’s 15-year-old niece for one year and nine months.
Olaleye had been awarded African Medical Doctor by Global Change for Africa.
The Lagos Directorate of Public Prosecution, (DPP) at the weekend confirmed his arraignment, after leading Nollywood stars called out Olaleye over the alleged crime.
Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw and another star actress cum comedienne, Damilola Adekoya, popularly known as Princess, had launched the campaign to prosecute Olaleye after the rape case came to light at the end of last year.
Olaleye is also one of the country’s leading lights in the fight against cervical and breast cancer.
In a letter of notification titled, “State of Lagos vs Dr Olufemi Olaleye,” signed by the Principal State Council of DPP, Mr Oluwagbenga Alagbe, was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.
Alagbe stated that the arraignment would be coming before Justice Ramon Oshodi of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja on Monday, Nov. 21.
“Olaleye will be facing a two-count charge of defilement and sexual assault by penetration. He must appear before the Honourable Court and also make provision for a legal practitioner of his choice,” Alagbe said.
The DPP’s Principal State Council also said a copy of the Information Papers and proof of Evidence were attached to the notification of arraignment already sent to the accused.
Recall that the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) had reacted to the recent allegation of sexual molestation of a minor against Olaleye.
The agency in a press statement shared on its verified Twitter handle @lagosdsva said it “received a complaint bordering on an allegation of sexual assault by penetration, indecent treatment of a child and defilement, allegedly perpetrated by the doctor on 19th of March.”
The agency said the complainant used its toll-free line.
The statement, which was signed by the agency’s Executive Secretary, Titilola Adeniyi, noted that the case was immediately referred to the Gender Desk Department of the Lagos State police command.
The agency said the affected minor had already received medical support and was in the process of receiving “psychosocial support.”
It added; “DSVA has requested the police to forward the duplicate case file to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions so that legal advice can be issued.
“Furthermore, we have also shared with the police additional information which we believe would assist with the investigation.”
Mrs Adeniyi reiterated the agency’s zero tolerance for all forms of sexual and gender-based violence, even as she reassured the public that no case of sexual abuse allegation will be swept under the carpet.
