An Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Wednesday varied the bail condition of the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Dr. Femi Olaleye from 50 million Naira to 40 million Naira.
Justice Ramon Oshodi varied the bail after the lead counsel to the defendant, Mr. Babatunde Igala (SAN) moved an application wherein he prayed the court to reduce his client’s bail condition from N50 million to N10 million and that one of the sureties should be a family or a professional colleague.
The state counsel, led by the Director of the Department of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr. Babajide Martins did not object to the application leaving the decision at the discretion of the court.
Justice Ramon, however, in his ruling reduced the monetary attachment from N50 million to N40 million with two sureties in like sum.
He also ruled that the sureties must be property owners in Lagos State and that each property must be equal to the N40 million bail sum in value.
“I have carefully considered the affidavits evidence and written submission filed on behalf of the defendant.
“However, I do not agree that the bail term be varied on the terms dictated by the defence. I consider the appropriate issue for determination as this court exercises its discretion in favour of the defendant by varying the bail condition in the ruling of 30th November.
“The defendant is hereby admitted to bail in the sum of N40 million with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be owners of build-up properties in Lagos State and each property must be sufficient to cover the bail sum.
“Original title of the documents must be submitted to the Chief Registrar of the court.
“Both sureties provide proper identification including the national identification and must show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government in the last three years.,” the judge held.
Justice Ramon also ordered the defendant to submit his Nigerian international passport, British Passport and other valid documents with the Chief Registrar of the court.
The defence counsel, in his 17-paragraph affidavits dated 20th December, had prayed the court to review the bail condition of the defendant by granting him bail on liberal terms.