KEY POINTS

• Lagos State contests the Court of Appeal’s reversal of Olaleye’s life sentence for child defilement at the Supreme Court.
• The appeal argues procedural errors and unreliable evidence led to Olaleye’s acquittal, undermining justice for sexual violence victims.
• Advocacy groups stress the case’s importance in shaping Nigeria’s legal framework for addressing child abuse and sexual violence.

The Lagos State government has submitted an appeal to the Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeal’s acquittal of Femi Olaleye, who was previously sentenced to life in prison for defiling his wife’s niece.

Olaleye, the Managing Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, was convicted in October 2023 by a Lagos Special Offences Court for child defilement and sexual assault involving penetration.

The accusations, filed by the Lagos State Ministry of Justice in November 2022, were first confirmed by the lower court. 

Court of appeals clears Doctor

In November 2024, the Court of Appeal reversed Olaleye’s conviction, pointing to procedural errors and determining that the evidence provided by the prosecution was not credible.

The court characterized the evidence as “tainted” and “unreliable” deeming it inadequate to support the life sentence given by the lower court.

The acquittal provoked anger from civil society groups, prompting them to urge the Lagos State government to take the case to the Supreme Court.

Advocacy organizations contended that reversing the conviction eroded public confidence in the legal system and justice for survivors of sexual crimes.

Lagos government submits appeal to supreme court

On December 27, Lagos State submitted an appeal to the Supreme Court, contesting the ruling of the appellate court.

The state government contended that the Court of Appeal did not utilize the stipulations of the Evidence Act, 2011, specifically Section 209(2), which pertains to the acceptance of testimony from child witnesses.

The government additionally referenced the Supreme Court ruling in Dagaya v. State (2006) and argued that validation of testimony from a child over 14 years is mandated by Section 209(3) of the Evidence Act.

The state’s appeal aims to reverse the appellate court’s ruling and restore the life sentence issued by the Special Offences Court.

Broader implications

The case has emerged as a central issue in the battle against sexual violence in Nigeria.

Advocacy organizations have highlighted the importance of strong judicial processes to secure justice for victims and prevent comparable offenses.

Legal specialists argue that the Supreme Court’s decision may establish an important precedent for managing child abuse cases in the nation.

At the same time, the public remains vigilant about the case, indicating significant apprehension regarding the integrity of the justice system.