Accused out of town at time of alleged assault
TORONTO, March 21, 2016 /CNW/ - On February 26, 2016, the Crown withdrew all charges against lawyer Richard Odeleye, who was charged with sexual assault by a former client in July 2015. The Crown determined that there was no "reasonable prospect of a conviction" regarding those charges.
During a brief hearing at the Ontario Court of Justice, Toronto, on February 26, 2016, and according to the Court's transcript, the complainant reported to the Toronto Police Service (TPS) in 2015 about a sexual assault that allegedly took place between December 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014. Further investigation by the TPS with the assistance of the Canada Border Services Agency revealed that Odeleye was out of the country at the time of the alleged assault.
"I have always insisted that this was a complete fabrication from a disgruntled former client and I am relieved that I have been very decisively vindicated," said Odeleye. "I am grateful to my wife and children who stood solidly by me throughout this ordeal. I am also grateful to all our friends, family members, clients, and my defence counsel, Mr. Michael Owoh, whose skill and hard work helped to expose this fabrication by the complainant."
Richard Odeleye, who was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989 and to the Ontario Bar in 2004, has a flourishing legal practice, mainly in the areas of Immigration and Refugee Law, Criminal Law, and Civil Litigation. He has practiced law in various capacities, notably as an Associate, Partner, and as the owner of his law firm, Richard Odeleye Law Firm. In his twenty-six years of practice, Odeleye has appeared at the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Nigeria; in his appearances at the Ontario Court of Justice, Ontario Superior Court, Federal Court of Canada, and Ontario Court of Appeal, he has represented and fought for the rights of numerous clients. A number of Odeleye's cases are reported at the websites of the Federal Court and Superior Court of Ontario. Odeleye has also represented many clients at the Refugee Board of Canada, the Immigration Appeal Division, the Refugee Appeal Division, and other Tribunals in Canada.
SOURCE Richard Odeleye
Image with caption: "Richard Odeleye (CNW Group/Richard Odeleye)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160321_C5225_PHOTO_EN_647470.jpg
Richard Odeleye, LL.B, Tel: 416-603-9195, [email protected], www.richlawfirm.ca
Share this article