[OPINION]: Why The GUILTY Verdict for the Lagos Doctor Who Raped His Niece is Important to Nigeria
Sexual violence is not a small offence but a major crime to be prosecuted
Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash
There was a life sentence conviction given to a man who raped his niece; Dr Olufemi Olaleye, the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation was convicted of having sexual intercourse with his wife’s 15-year-old niece.
The doctor’s wife had testified against him that the convict first introduced pornography and oral sex to the victim.
The abuse had been going on from March 2020 till July 2021.
The life sentence conviction for the Lagos-based Doctor champions what is done right in the conviction of gender-based violence cases in Nigeria.
The case was handled well due to several factors but there is still more that can be done to ensure that gender-based violence is stopped in the Nigerian society.
The Girl Spoke Out Against Her Rape, She Was Listened to and the matter was taken up
One of the things we don’t get right when it comes to gender-based violence is that when the survivor has the courage to speak out, what comes of it?
In this story, the niece confided to a relative and driver that the doctor raped her.
When the Doctor’s wife, Aderemi Olaleye found out about the rape, she did not turn a blind eye. This was significant and should not be dismissed because it is not an uncommon thing when a family member tries to hide an act such as gender-based violence for fear of stigma or “public shame.”
Mrs Olaleye actually testified against her own husband to say that he was abusing her niece. This encourages others to know that they should not ignore or dismiss wrong things that are being committed within their own homes.
If you allow a perpetrator to continue abusing and taking advantage of others, you are allowing a criminal offence to prevail.
The Perpetrator Faced the Court of Law for the Crime of Sexual Violence
When someone commits a crime, the case should be taken up in court. It should not matter who the individual is or what their status is in society. They should always face the law.
In this case, the judge was Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court.
We commend him that justice was served even though the perpetrator was a man of high status: Dr Olufemi Olaleye, the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation.
Dr Olaleye is someone you would expect to be of high prestige and with good morals yet he was guilty of defiling a minor.
The fact that the Medical Doctor was tried in court and given a sentence is important because gender-based violence cases are not always taken seriously. Sometimes, they are settled out of court with bribery and intimidation.
Not only did Dr Olufemi face the court and was given a sentence of life imprisonment but he was also ordered to be added to the Lagos State Sex Offenders Register.
This is a big win and I hope that no matter the state in which sexual violence occurs, it is reported and documented.
What Can We Do More of to End Gender-Based Violence In Society
Every November, the UN Women and gender advocates all over the world celebrate the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. It commences on the 25th of November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls and ends on the 10th of December, Human Rights Day.
The theme for this 2023 is UNiTE! Invest to Prevent Violence against Women & Girls.
There are a few ways I strongly recommend to invest in the prevention of violence against women and girls.
Invest in having sex education resources for children and teenagers
Invest in psychological support for survivors and rehabilitation for perpetrators
Invest in more media training for coverage of stories on gender-based violence
1: Parents Should Always Monitor their Children and Equip Them with Sex Education at an Early Age
The niece who was abused by the Medical Doctor was said to have been threatened by the Doctor. In spite of the threats to silence her, she still did a brave thing: she spoke out.
Speaking out is needed for the truth to come to light and for survivors to move on.
In June, I interviewed Sandra Ikegbula, the Centre Coordinator at Cece Yara Foundation’s office in Abuja.
In the interview, she said that “statistics show that most people don’t talk about the abuse due to fear of stigmatisation and how to get help but when you speak out, there will be someone that will be able to let you know how you can get help. It is only when you speak out that you can get help. By the time you report the perpetrator, then the perpetrator won’t be able to harm you.”
In the foundation, they educate children and teenagers on the necessity of speaking out and being aware of their private parts.
I believe that every parent should make sure they speak to their children and teenagers regularly about sex education, understanding abuse and how to take action.
2. Parents and guardians should Ensure Survivors of Abuse are in Safe Environments and Get Psychological Support
When you look up this story, one thing that gladdens me is that the image and name of the survivor are not made available. It matters that her name and image be kept out of the public eye for her safety. What matters most is that the perpetrator is the one who is being publicly shamed.
Also, it’s important the survivor is in an environment where she feels safe. She should be in an environment where people around her monitor her and assure her that things will be okay.
In my conversations and interviews with sexual abuse survivors, they often state that part of their healing process is being in good environments and receiving some form of therapy and counselling.
When I spoke to Maureen, she said it was important for her to have therapy to manage the difficult emotions she felt from the abuse.
Therefore, Nigeria needs to continue to invest in the number of mental health centres made available to its citizens.
There should be several options for mental health centres in every state that a person can walk into or call and obtain psychological support.
3. Perpetrators Who Are Released back into society Should Go Through Forms of Rehabilitation
Though the Lagos Doctor was given life imprisonment, others have committed such acts but gone back into society.
As they are sent back into society, I often wonder how many lives they put in danger?
There needs to be a form of rehabilitation for perpetrators because for someone to abuse and take advantage of another person is not normal.
That person needs help. They need a form of counselling and rehab so that when they are back in society, they do not attempt to ruin another person’s life.
Having a form of community-based rehab for perpetrators would help in the prevention of gender-based violence in society.
This is an investment Nigeria needs to look more into for every form of abuse because if not, people who are not functioning well will continue to be a threat to the safety of innocent women, girls and boys.
4. The Media Should Continue to Prioritise GBV Cases In the News and invest in GBV Sensitivity Training for Reporters
The Nigerian media does prioritise putting gender-based violence cases in the news. This is something to commend the media for because every story matters. The more we tell these stories, the more we create awareness of what has happened and what needs to be done.
The more we have these court rulings being covered with a ruling in favour of the survivor, the more others understand the severity and implications of gender-based violence.
Also, as we see these cases in the news, we have to interrogate the way it is being covered.
It matters that survivors are always protected. That confidential information about their name and appearance is not being revealed.
It also matters that reporters and writers remain sensitive towards the words and terminologies used when discussing gender violence.
Having reporters who cover gender go through training on sexual abuse matters because the way they tell the story impacts the way it is being received.
Final Thoughts
I often watch and read stories of gender-based violence on the news. You read stories about children of 18 months being molested. You read stories about teenagers, young adults and even senior citizens being raped.
These stories break my heart and anger me but to know that a perpetrator is being given a life sentence fills me with so much joy.
It says to the survivor that what was done to you was wrong and there will be consequences. It says to the survivor that speaking out matters and due process will take place.
The guilty verdict of the doctor who raped his niece matters and it sets the tone for all those committing wrong acts in the dark.
Those who abuse and take advantage of others must know that what is done in the dark will eventually come to light and when it does, you will face the law.
