A child forensic specialist, Mrs. Olabisi Anike Ajayi-Kayode of Cece Yara Foundation yesterday told a Lagos State Special and Sexual Offences Court in Ikeja that Dr. Olufemi Olaleye serially engaged a child in sexual activities.
The forensic specialist made known in her testimony before Justice Rahmon Oshodi in an ongoing trial of the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Olaleye before the court.
Dr. Olaleye is standing trial on a two-count charge of alleged defilement and sexual assault by penetration against his wife’s niece.
Ajayi-Kayode who was the third prosecution witness was led in evidence by the lead prosecution team, the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Dr. Babajide Martins, the witness told the court how she interviewed the survivor.
She said she conducted an interview with the 15-year-old survivor (name withheld) who claimed that the embattled medical doctor lured her into several sexual activities.
The child advocate who is also a lawyer told the court that the survivor narrated to her that the defendant has been engaging her (survivor) in sexual activities for a long period and not just one time and he used threat and coercion.
“He used his disposition as the aunt’s husband to gain access to the child for sexual activity. And the threat and coercion was to maintain control over the child. He took advantage of the girl’s naivety by telling her that virginity is no longer in vogue.”
She further narrated to the court that aside from her, the other seven-member team asked the survivor various questions in order to elicit information from her as well as how she supported actors in the administration of the justice sector and facilitated investigation on sexual abuse, documented and reported her findings.
The witness also informed the court that the survivor told her that when the defendant wanted to have sex with her, he asked her, “Are you still a virgin? Why are you still a virgin and that virginity is no longer in vogue.”
The forensic expert said the survivor also narrated to her that she was sexually abused when the defendant started by touching her and running his fingers in her private part.
However, after her examination in chief, the prosecution counsel asked the court to admit the witness findings and certificate of compliance.
When she was cross-examined by the lead defendant counsel, Mr. Babatunde Ogala (SAN), the witness told the court that she also spoke with a psychologist and the police.
She was asked if she saw the medical report before speaking with the victim, she responded, “I didn’t see any medical report but the DPP told me about a medical report. And I was not informed of the date of the incident by the victim but she painted a scenario.
She was further asked if she takes time to interact with the Gender Desk and Medical Doctor. She replied that she called the police to ascertain what was going on.
After listening to the testimony of the witness, Justice Oshodi subsequently adjourned to today, 4th January 2023 for continuation of trial.