The Lagos Court of Appeal will today, November 29, give its decision on the case of Dr. Olufemi Olaleye, a Lagos doctor convicted of rape.
Dr. Olaleye, the head of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, was sentenced to life in prison in October 2023 by Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court. He was found guilty of raping his wife’s teenage niece.
The defense lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), filed an appeal in November 2023. Pinheiro argued that there was no clear proof of the victim’s age, saying the prosecution did not provide documents to show she was 16 years old at the time of the crime.
The defense also claimed the victim’s story was inconsistent because she did not accuse Dr. Olaleye of rape when she first spoke to the police.
The prosecution insisted that it had proven the doctor’s guilt beyond doubt, supporting the charges of defilement and sexual assault by penetration.
A three-judge panel; Justice Olukayode Bada, Justice Mohammad Sirajo, and Justice Folasade Ojo, heard arguments from both sides. After reviewing the case, they will deliver their ruling today.
