Appeal Court Overturns Conviction: Lagos Doctor Femi Olaleye Found Innocent

Femi Olaleye’s Rape Conviction Nullified by Appeal Court in Landmark Decision

The Lagos Appeal Court has nullified the rape conviction of Dr. Femi Olaleye, the managing director of the Optimal Cancer Care Foundation.

Previously, he had been sentenced to life imprisonment in 2023 for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor, his wife’s niece, over a period of 20 months.

However, the appellate court overturned the conviction, citing significant flaws in the lower court’s handling of the case.

The appeal judges found that the prosecution relied on tainted and unreliable evidence, particularly from Olaleye’s wife and the alleged survivor.

The court also criticized the lack of corroborating evidence regarding the survivor’s age and dismissed other key testimonies as “worthless.”

Furthermore, the appellate court noted procedural errors, including the absence of a trial-within-trial to validate confessional statements made in police custody. Based on these factors, Dr. Olaleye was acquitted of all charges.