Ogunsalu

WESTERN BUREAU:

The case against dental practitioner Dr Christopher Ogunsalu, who was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm against his dental assistant, was dismissed in the Montego Bay RM Court last week when the complainant missed a sixth consecutive hearing.

Ogunsalu, a Nigeria-born naturalised Jamaican, allegedly attacked and seriously injured Pauline Graham during a dispute at his Market Street, Montego Bay, office on July 12, 2007.

At the start of the trial, Graham said that after Ogunsalu accused her of allowing another dentist to use his facility and equipment while he was overseas, Ogunsalu kicked and severely beat her, resulting in her becoming temporarily disabled.

However, in his defence, Ogunsalu said he was the victim, not the villain, claiming that it was he who was attacked by Graham after he threatened to fire her for impropriety, including dental duties which she was not qualified to perform. She had also allowed another dentist to use his facility, Ogunsalu charged.

Pleased

"I am pleased with the court's decision. I feel vindicated," Ogunsalu told The Gleaner. "The case was not just thrown out, it was dismissed because the judge found out that the allegations against me were false."

The dentist said the case has taken a heavy toll on his time, reputation and finances.

"I was mostly working in Trinidad at the time and I had to fly back here about 10 difference times to attend court," he said. "In addition, as a vice-president of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists and a councilman in the International College of Dentists, it seriously hurt my reputation."

He said he is now looking forward to life beyond what he terms a most unfortunate episode in his life.

"I am already putting my life back together as I am now employed at the University of the West Indies (Mona), where I am helping to set up their dental school," Ogunsalu said. "I briefly contemplated taking legal action against Ms Graham, but I have decided to let it go as a bad experience."

adrian.frater@gleanerjm.com