Appeal Court Frees Popular Lagos Doctor Initially Convicted of Rape
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The Court of Appeal in Lagos unanimously overturned Dr. Olufemi Olaleye’s conviction and life sentence. The court found the evidence from his estranged wife and the alleged survivor to be “tainted” and “unreliable”, noting material contradictions in the prosecution’s evidence that should not have been used for conviction.
The Court of Appeal, led by Justice Jimi Bada, criticized the trial court’s evidence, calling testimonies from a child forensic specialist, medical doctor, and investigating officer “worthless”. The justices also noted that the trial judge, Rahman Oshodi, improperly interfered with proceedings to compensate for prosecution’s weaknesses. Additionally, the court questioned why the prosecution failed to present material witnesses, including family members who allegedly witnessed Olaleye’s confession.
The Court of Appeal highlighted that a trial within a trial should have been conducted to verify the voluntariness of Olaleye’s confessional statements, which he claimed were made under duress after six days of detention. Ultimately, the court determined all five appeal issues in favor of the appellant, against the prosecution.
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