Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, have called on Mr. Lawal Pedro, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, to appeal a recent Court of Appeal ruling that nullified the rape conviction of Dr. Femi Olaleye, a prominent medical practitioner and managing director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation.
The CSOs submitted a petition urging the Lagos State government to take immediate steps to challenge the appellate court’s decision at the Supreme Court, asserting the need to restore public confidence in the justice system.
In November 2022, Dr. Olaleye was arraigned by the Lagos State government on charges of child defilement and sexual assault by penetration. The victim, a minor who was reportedly the niece of Olaleye’s wife, was allegedly sexually abused over a period of 20 months.
In October 2023, the Lagos Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court convicted Olaleye of the charges, sentencing him to life imprisonment for rape.
However, in November 2023, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal in Lagos overturned the conviction, citing errors in the lower court’s judgment. The appellate court ruled that the evidence provided by the survivor and wife was “tainted” and “unreliable,” leading to his acquittal.
Addressing newsmen at the National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, office in Lagos, Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, founder of Project Alert, read the petition submitted to the Attorney-General.
Effah-Chukwuma highlighted the critical importance of appealing the decision, emphasizing that the case’s outcome has far-reaching implications for justice and public trust.
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“The international community and Nigerians at large are keenly observing the case. Sexual violence against children is one of the most heinous crimes, and allowing perpetrators to walk free sends the wrong message about how seriously such offences are treated in our country,” Effah-Chukwuma said.
The petition underscored the need for the Supreme Court to adjudicate the matter, arguing that the judgment of the appellate court could embolden offenders and undermine efforts to combat sexual violence.
The CSOs appealed to the Lagos State government to demonstrate its commitment to safeguarding the rights of children and ensuring justice for survivors of sexual violence.
“We therefore respectfully urge your office, in the interest of justice, public policy, and the rule of law, to take immediate and necessary steps to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court, so that the case may be thoroughly adjudicated, and justice may be duly served.”
The petition was signed by Itoro Eze-Anaba of Mirabel Centre; Bisi Ajayi-Kayode of Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre; Kingsley Ibom Egbulem of Men Against Rape; and Toyin Taiwo-Ojo of Stop the Abuse Against Women and Children Foundation; Others are Anthonia Ojenagbon of Tonia Bruised But Not Broken Rape Survivors Foundation; Pamela Udoka of Family Wellness Therapy Centre; Effah- Chukwuma of Project Alert; Bose Ironsi of Ireti Psycho-Social Support Centre, SARC; Ronke Oyelakin of Child Protection Network, Lagos state; and Kate Henshaw.
The CSOs urged the Lagos Attorney-General to appeal the appellate court’s decision without delay, stressing that justice must be served to demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens and punishing perpetrators of sexual violence.
