Police Rearraign Lagos Doctor Over Alleged False Rape Allegations
Men of State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti-Yaba, Lagos, Wednesday, re-arraigned a female medical, Bolanle Aseyan, before a Lagos Federal High Court, on a four-count charge bordering on false publication on rape allegation.
The police lawyer, Emmanuel Eze in a charge marked FHC/L/ 260c/2020, alleged that 25 years old Doctor, committed the alleged offences between June 29 and August 14, 2020, at number 12A, Molade Okoya Thomas, Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos.
The medical director, who was formerly arraigned before Yaba Chief Magistrate Court, sometimes in November 2020, was alleged to have committed the offences while observing her internship at Federal Medical Center, Ebute-Metta, Lagos.
To commit the act, the prosecutor, Barrister Emmanuel told the court that the defendant act was intended to damage the character of one Dr. Olufumilayo Ogunsanya, who she intentionally alleged through means of computer system to have raped her.
The action of the defendant was also said to have caused Dr. Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya fear of death, violence and bodily harm.
The offences according to the prosecutor, are contrary to section 24(1)(a) and 24 (2) (a) and punishable under section 24(1)(b) 24 (2)(C)(ii) of the Cybercrime( Prohibition Prevention Etc) Act, 2015.
The lady doctor denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following her not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked the court to remand her pending the hearing of her bail application.
But her lawyer, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), told the court that he had filed defendant’s bail application and same has been served on the prosecutor, who has equally respondend and filed a counter-affidavit.
Banire (SAN) urged the court to hear the defendant’s bail application on the ground that her job as a medical doctor, is essential and needed in this era of COVID-19 pandemic.
Upon taking arguments from parties on the bail application, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, held that “the offences against the defendant are bailable ones and that granting bail is at the Court’s discretion”.
She consequently admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1 million, with one surety in the sum of N500, 000, 00.
She thereafter ordered the defendant to deposit her international passport with the Court’s Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) adding that all the bail conditions supplied by the surety should be verified by the DCR.
The matter has been adjourned till March 23 and 24 for trial.
Charges against the defendant reads: “that you Bolanle Aseyan “f” between the 29th June, 2020 and 14th August, 2020 at No. 12A Molade Okoya Thomas, Adeniyi Jones in the Lagos Judicial Division with the intent to menace Dr. Olufumilayo Ogunsanya’s character did intentionally and by means of computer system or network did cause grossly offensive (rape allegation) publication to be sent against Dr. Olufumilayo Ogunsanya and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 24(1)(a) and punishable under section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime( Prohibition Prevention Etc) Act, 2015
“That you Bolanle Aseyan “f” between the 29th June, 2020 and 14th August, 2020 at No. 12A Molade Okoya Thomas, Adeniyi Jones in Lagos Judicial Division, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconveniences, danger, insult, criminal intimidation, hatred, ill will and needless anxiety did intentionally and by means of computer system or network, caused a rape allegation message to be sent against Dr. Olufumilayo Ogunsanya which you know to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 24(1)(b) of the Cybercrime( Prohibition Prevention Etc) Act, 2015.
“That you Bolanle Aseyan “f’ sometime between the 29h June, 2020 and 14th August 2020 at No. 12A Molade Okoya Thomas, Adeniyi Jones in Lagos Judicial Division did intentionally transmitted rape allegation against Dr. Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya through computer system or network to bully and harass Dr. Olufunmilayo Ogunsanya a communication which placed him in fear of death, violence and bodily harm thereby committed an offence contrary to section 24 (2) (a) and punishable under section 24 (2)(C)(i) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention Etc) Act, 2015.
“That you Bolanle Aseyan “f’ between the 29th June, 2020 and 14th August, 2020 at No. 12A Molade Okoya Thomas, Adeniyi Jones in Lagos Judicial Division with the intent to harm the reputation of Dr. Olufumilayo Ogunsanya did intentionally and by means of computer system or network accused Dr. Olufumilayo Ogunsanya of rape and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 24(2)(C) and punishable under section 24 (2)(C)(ii) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention Ete) Act, 2015”.
