The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal is set to rule on the appeal filed by Dr. Olufemi Olaleye, the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, who was convicted of “rape.”
Olaleye allegedly “raped” his wife’s teenage niece and was sentenced to life imprisonment.
He was convicted in October 2023 by Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court. The judge found the case presented by the prosecution “compelling.”
However, Olaleye’s lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), filed an appeal in November 2023, arguing that there was no direct evidence to confirm the alleged victim’s age.
Pinheiro added that the prosecution failed to provide documentation to support its claim that she was 16 years old as of the time of the offence.
The defence also contended that the alleged victim’s testimony was “inconsistent,” noting that she did not initially accuse Olaleye of “rape” when making her statement to the police.
In response, the prosecution maintained that it had established the offences of “defilement” and “sexual assault by penetration” beyond a reasonable doubt, which justified the conviction.
The appellate panel, comprising Justice Olukayode Bada, Justice Mohammad Sirajo, and Justice Folasade Ojo, has reserved its judgment after listening to arguments from both sides.
The ruling is expected to be delivered today, Friday, November 29.
