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By Lukman Olabiyi
Despite strong outcry from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the Lagos State Government is yet to file an appeal against the Court of Appeal’s judgment that nullified Dr. Femi Olaleye’s rape conviction.
Dr. Olaleye, a medical practitioner and the managing director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, was charged with child defilement and sexual assault by penetration.
He was convicted by the Lagos Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court in October 2023.
However, in November 2023, the Court of Appeal overturned the conviction, citing errors in the lower court’s judgment.
The appellate court deemed the evidence provided by the prosecution to be “tainted” and “unreliable,” leading to Olaleye’s acquittal.
In response to the ruling, CSOs petitioned the Lagos state Attorney General, Lawal Pedro,SAN, urging him to challenge the decision at the Supreme Court to restore public trust in the justice system.
The deadline for filing such an appeal is December 28, 2024.
However, as of the time of filling ithis report, sources within the Lagos State Ministry of Justice confirmed that no plans have been made to appeal the judgment.
It was also revealed that while the Director of Public Prosecution’s (DPP) office had prepared the grounds for appeal and submitted them to the Attorney General’s office, no further action had been taken.
