Olusegun Ariyo
The Lagos State Government has said it would challenge the Appeal Court ruling which overturned the conviction of a medical doctor, Femi Olaleye for defiling his wife’s niece.
The Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led government said it was heading to the Supreme Court to challenge the judgement and if possible, overturn the Court of Appeal’s decision.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos had voided the rape conviction of the Managing Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, Femi Olaleye.
The appellate court on Friday ruled that the lower court erred in its judgement. It thereafter discharged and acquitted Olaleye.
Urban Express News Online recalls that the special offences and domestic violence court in Lagos had in October Convicted Olaleye on a two-count charge of defilement of a child and sexual assault by penetration.
Justice Rahman Oshodi had sentenced Olaleye to life imprisonment over rape after he was arraigned by the State Government.
The appellate court had described the evidence provided by the prosecution as “tainted” and “unreliable”.
In response, civil rights groups petitioned the Lagos State Attorney General, Lawal Pedro, SAN, calling on him to approach the apex court to restore public trust in the justice system.
TVC News reports that the state government has now filed a notice at the court of appeal.
This reason is to inform all parties concerned that it has lodged an appeal against that decision and is now heading to the apex court in the country for a final decision on the matter.
