The appeal court sitting in Lagos has nullified the rape conviction of Femi Olaleye, managing director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation. Ruling this morning, the appellate court held that the lower court erred in its judgment discharged and acquitted Olaleye..
Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court had convicted Olaleye in October 2023 of raping his wife’s teenage niece, after holding that he found the case of the prosecution compelling.
But displeased with the verdict, Olaleye, through his lawyer, Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), had filed an appeal on 35 grounds in November 2023, seeking to overturn Justice Oshodi’s judgment.
Pinheiro contended that the alleged victim’s testimony was riddled with inconsistencies, noting that she did not initially accuse Dr. Olaleye of rape when making her statement to the police. However, the prosecution argued that all elements had been proven during the trial and that the trial judge relied on this evidence to convict the appellant. They insisted that there were no contradictions in the testimonies of their witnesses.
The appellate panel, comprising Justice Olukayode Bada, Justice Mohammad Sirajo, and Justice Folasade Ojo, listened to the arguments from both sides and subsequently reserved its judgment.