Appeal Court acquits doctor convicted of defiling wife’s 16-year-old niece

The Lagos Court of Appeal has overturned the life imprisonment sentence of Dr. Olufemi Olaleye, the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation.

Dr. Olaleye had previously been found guilty by the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court of defiling his wife’s 16-year-old niece.

However, the appellate court set aside the conviction, citing unreliable and inconsistent evidence presented during the trial.

Justice Olukayode Bada, who delivered the lead judgment supported by Justices Mohammed Ibrahim Sirajo and Folasade Ayodeji Ojo, concluded that the trial court’s decision was flawed.

READ ALSO :Abuja court frees 4 women, 46 others detained over alleged IPOB membership

According to the judgment, the evidence provided by Dr. Olaleye’s estranged wife, Oluremi, and the alleged survivor (name withheld) was “tainted” and unreliable.

The appellate court highlighted significant contradictions in the prosecution’s case, including testimony from a child forensic specialist, a medical expert from the Mirabel Centre, and the investigating officer, which it deemed “worthless.”

The panel also criticized Justice Rahman Oshodi of the trial court for overstepping judicial boundaries by attempting to bridge gaps in the prosecution’s case.

Furthermore, the judgment questioned the absence of key witnesses, such as two family members who reportedly heard the appellant confess. It also noted that no trial-within-a-trial was conducted to determine the voluntariness of Dr. Olaleye’s alleged confession, despite claims it was made under duress following six days of detention.

The appellate court resolved all five issues raised in the appeal in favor of Dr. Olaleye and subsequently discharged and acquitted him.