In a recent development at the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence court in Lagos, Nigeria, Dr. Femi Olaleye, a renowned doctor and the Managing Director of the Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, has been convicted and handed a life sentence for the heinous crime of raping his wife’s niece. The presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, declared the doctor guilty on Tuesday, October 24th.
The charges against Dr. Olaleye included two counts of defilement and sexual assault by penetration of his wife’s teenage niece, reportedly committed between March 2020 and November 2021. The defendant had initially pleaded not guilty when he was arraigned on November 30, 2022.
Throughout the trial, the prosecution presented a compelling case, calling upon seven witnesses to testify, including the defendant’s wife who reported the incident to the police, the young victim (whose identity has been withheld), a child forensic specialist named Bisi Ajayi-Kayode, Police Inspector Esther Igbineweka, medical examiner Akinbunmi Oyebimpe, and police officer Abe Leonard.
During the proceedings, the Director of Public Prosecution, Dr. Babajide Martins, informed the court that Dr. Olaleye committed the offenses at No 17, Layi Ogunbambi close, Maryland, Lagos. The accused allegedly engaged in unlawful sexual intercourse with his wife’s 15-year-old niece and went further to sexually assault her by penetrating her mouth and other orifices with his penis. Shockingly, it was revealed that the defendant had also drugged his wife to ensure her unconsciousness while he perpetrated these acts.
After careful consideration of all the evidence and arguments presented by both the prosecution and the defendant, Justice Rahman Oshodi handed down the verdict, finding Dr. Olaleye guilty as charged. The judge then proceeded to impose the maximum sentence of life imprisonment, condemning the doctor’s abhorrent actions and sending a clear message that sexual offenses will not be tolerated in the society.
This landmark judgment serves as a significant victory for justice and highlights the importance of promoting and safeguarding the rights of vulnerable individuals within our communities. The case involving Dr. Femi Olaleye serves as a stark reminder that even those in positions of power and influence can be held accountable for their actions, ensuring that victims receive the justice they deserve and that perpetrators face the full force of the law.
