CSOs pressure Lagos AG to appeal Olaleye's acquittal in Supreme Court

CSOs

The CSOs at the news conference

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called on Lawal Pedro, the Attorney-General of Lagos State, to appeal a recent Court of Appeal ruling that overturned the rape conviction of Dr. Femi Olaleye, a well-known medical practitioner and managing director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation.

In a petition submitted to the Attorney-General, the CSOs urged the Lagos State Government to take swift action to challenge the appellate court’s decision at the Supreme Court, emphasizing the need to restore public confidence in the justice system.

Olaleye was arraigned by the Lagos State Government in November 2022 on charges of child defilement and sexual assault by penetration.

The victim, a minor, was reportedly the niece of Olaleye’s wife and allegedly endured sexual abuse over a 20-month period.

In October 2023, the Lagos Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court convicted Olaleye, sentencing him to life imprisonment for rape.

However, in November 2023, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal in Lagos overturned the conviction, citing errors in the lower court’s judgment.

The appellate court deemed the evidence provided by the survivor and her mother as “tainted” and “unreliable,” leading to Olaleye’s acquittal.

At a press conference held at the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) office in Lagos, Josephine Effah-Chukwuma, founder of Project Alert, read the petition to the Attorney-General.

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Effah-Chukwuma stressed the critical need to appeal the decision, emphasizing the far-reaching implications for justice and public trust.

“The international community and Nigerians at large are closely watching this case. Sexual violence against children is one of the most heinous crimes, and allowing perpetrators to go free sends the wrong message about how seriously such offences are treated in our country,” Effah-Chukwuma stated.

The petition highlighted the necessity of the Supreme Court’s intervention, arguing that the appellate court’s judgment could embolden offenders and hinder efforts to combat sexual violence.

The CSOs called on the Lagos State government to reaffirm its commitment to protecting children’s rights and ensuring justice for survivors of sexual violence.

“We respectfully urge your office, in the interest of justice, public policy, and the rule of law, to take immediate steps to appeal this decision to the Supreme Court, ensuring the case is thoroughly adjudicated and justice is served,” the petition read.

The petition was signed by prominent activists, including Itoro Eze-Anaba of Mirabel Centre; Bisi Ajayi-Kayode of Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre; Kingsley Ibom Egbulem of Men Against Rape; Toyin Taiwo-Ojo of Stop the Abuse Against Women and Children Foundation; and others, including Anthonia Ojenagbon of Tonia Bruised But Not Broken Rape Survivors Foundation; Pamela Udoka of Family Wellness Therapy Centre; Effah-Chukwuma of Project Alert; Bose Ironsi of Ireti Psycho-Social Support Centre (SARC); Ronke Oyelakin of Child Protection Network, Lagos State; and Kate Henshaw.

The CSOs have urged the Lagos Attorney-General to act without delay, reiterating that justice must be served to uphold Nigeria’s commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens and punishing sexual violence perpetrators.

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