- Doctor Cleared in Nigeria, Dr Femi Olaleye, Now Faces Sexual Offence Charges in the UK
- UK sources claim the doctor had been linked to multiple sexual offences before leaving the country for Nigeria several years ago
- The Lagos State Government disagreed with the appellate judgment and filed an appeal at the Supreme Court seeking to restore the conviction.
Lagos based medical doctor, Dr Femi Olaleye, has been arrested in the United Kingdom and is set to be arraigned at the Maidstone Crown Court in Kent over alleged sexual offences said to have occurred during his earlier years in London.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Olaleye was reportedly picked up at Heathrow Airport last week and is currently being held at North Kent Police Station ahead of his court appearance scheduled for Friday December 5.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Kcee Opens Up on Longstanding Rift With Flavour
- Trump Says Zelenskyy Stalling U.S. Peace Plan
- Tinubu Applauds Nigerian Troops for Crushing Benin Coup
Court records list the matter under case number 46/XY/11332/23.
UK sources claim the doctor had been linked to multiple sexual offences before leaving the country for Nigeria several years ago.
The development has revived attention on the doctor’s controversial legal battles in Nigeria.
Background of the Case in Nigeria
Before his arrest in the UK, Dr Olaleye was at the centre of a high profile sexual offence case in Lagos. He was accused of abusing a minor for whom he served as a father figure. The minor later told investigators that the doctor attempted to bribe her to change her testimony but she rejected the offer.
In October 2023, Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court found him guilty and sentenced him to life in prison. However, the Court of Appeal Lagos Division overturned the conviction on November 29 2024, citing inconsistencies in the prosecution’s evidence.
The Lagos State Government disagreed with the appellate judgment and filed an appeal at the Supreme Court seeking to restore the conviction. In its notice of appeal, the state argued that the lower court dismissed credible evidence and relied on what it described as technicalities.
Legal analysts say the Supreme Court decision on the matter will be crucial to how sexual offence cases involving minors are handled across Nigeria.
Olaleye, who founded the Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, left the country shortly after his release from prison following the Court of Appeal ruling. His re arrest in the UK has now reopened both old and new allegations.
FURTHER READING
- Tinubu Tasks Federal Universities on Sustainable Funding, Infrastructure Upgrade
- Shettima Leaves Abuja For Côte d’Ivoire As Tinubu’s Representative
- US Congressional Delegation Visits Nigeria For Security Talks
Click here to watch video of the week
