Court Refuses Bail For Doctor Accused Of Sedating, Raping A Nurse In His Hospital

A Kwara State high court presided over by Justice Y. S. Umar has refused to admit to bail the Medical Director of Ayodele Medical Centre, Ilorin, Dr. Joseph Ayodele, who was accused of sedating and raping a nurse inside his hospital.

Ayodele was arraigned on a three-count charge of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining money by false pretence and Rape.

The offences are punishable under the Advance Fee Fraud (Prohibition) Act and Violence Against Persons Law of Kwara State.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to all the three charges when read to him in court.

Earlier, the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Kwara State, Ayoola Idowu Akande, had urged the court to grant his continued remand at the federal correctional centre, Oke-Kura, saying the offences upon which Ayodele was arraigned were serious and grave and his release, he argued, might affect ongoing investigations.

But the defence counsel, led by Toyin Onaolapo, rejected the application of the DPP, arguing that there is an urgent need for him to be granted bail or be taken to the mental asylum at the UITH for a mental examination to ascertain if he can stand trial or not. He added that his mental and health conditions are deteriorating daily.

After the submissions of the two counsel, the court then adjourned for one hour and 30 minutes to rule on both applications.

At the resumed hearing, the trial judge, T.S Umar, refused to grant the accused bail, saying there is no sufficient evidence to prove that the accused is unfit to stand trial.

The judge also added that there is no report from the correctional centre where he is being remanded that he was unfit to stand trial.

The trial judge, who said he would rather go for an accelerated hearing, adjourned the case to July 26, 2023.