An expert in Psychology, Dr. Olugbemi Olukolade, has faulted claims by the minor who accused Olanrewaju James Omiyinka alias Baba Ijesha of defiling her, stating that her account was as if someone was relating a story that has been related to her.
In his testimony before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, the defence witness analysed the video where the minor alleged to have been defiled by the defendant was seen responding to a certified child forensic interview specialist by Mrs.Olabisi Anike Ajayi-Kayode, of Cece Yara Foundation.
Following various sections of the interview sessions, the expert faulted claims of the survivor and suggested that the minor appears to be relating a story that have been related to her.
While the video was re-played in court for analysis, Mr. Babatunde Ogala, SAN sought the opinions of the psychologist on standard practice and claims of the alledged survivor.
Olukolade told Justice Taiwo in his analysis that, “When something like rape, or abuse happens, it is supposed to cause trauma.”
He continued his professional opinion that a traumatised child after being abused would not likely return to watch TV.
He said that is how Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, PTSD, ought to affect a traumatised person.
According to him, the child will display visible fear and that makes it difficult for the child to continue seeing an abuser, let alone get close to the alledged abuser again, who she claimed she followed to pick fruits from his car for her foster parent, Damilola Adekoya alias Princess.
Faulting the fluidity in her expressions during the interview session, the expert told the judge that the retentive capacity of a child does not make it possible to recall and speak of event verbatim.
Referencing the works of a psychologist, Jean Piaget, the witness described how the cognitive development of children between the ages of two to seven indicate that a child’s knowledge could only pick event in pieces.
Meanwhile the State Prosecutor, Dr. Babajide Martins, countering the expert’s view, probed him whether PTSD varies in individual which he admitted, stressing that there is no uniform way to deal with trauma.
He however noted, “What we are saying is that there are minimum criteria that would be met.”
The expert added that he had never met the minor, neither has access to her medical history to know if she has PTSD.
The defendant is facing a six count charge of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault and attempted sexual assault by penetration, contrary to Sections 135, 263 and 262 of the Criminal Law Ch C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2015 and sexual assault by penetration contrary to Sections 259 Criminal Law Ch C17, Vol. 3, Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The judge adjourned till April 1, 2022 for continuation of trial.
