News
Appeal Court Nullifies Conviction of Femi Olaleye Over Lack of Evidence
The Court of Appeal in Lagos has overturned the conviction of Femi Olaleye, the managing director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, previously sentenced to life imprisonment for r@pe.
In a ruling delivered on November 29, the appellate court stated that the lower court erred in its judgment, citing the absence of direct evidence to support the allegations, particularly regarding the victim’s age. Consequently, the court discharged and acquitted Olaleye.
In October 2023, Olaleye was convicted by the Lagos State Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court on charges of child defilement and s#xual assault by penetration. The presiding judge, Rahman Oshodi, had sentenced him to life imprisonment.
The case began in 2022 when Olaleye was arraigned by the Lagos State Government.
Following his conviction, his legal counsel, Kemi Pinhero (SAN), appealed the decision in November 2023, arguing that the prosecution failed to present direct evidence confirming the victim’s age as 16 at the time of the incident.
The appellate court upheld this argument, ruling that the prosecution’s inability to provide documentation verifying the victim’s age rendered the case insufficient for conviction.
Nigerian Politician and Human Rights Activist, Omoyele Sowore shows up to defend and support the NYSC corp member that has been threatened.
It can be recalled that a viral video has made its way to the country. A young lady who is serving the country laments about the government and President.
The viral video also gained the attention of NYSC, resulting to messaging the corp member. The message ordered the removal of the video and for the lady to report the office on 17th of March, 2025.
However fellow Nigerians and activists have spoken out and called to defend the Corp member against any official threat.
It was reported that Sowore arrived to the local government of the corp member to showcase support in handling the case.
Omoyele Sowore and some activists, including lawyers, accompanied Ushie Uguamaye, a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member known as Raye, to meet with her Local Government Inspector (LGI) after she was summoned over a viral video.
Raye recently gained attention after she criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration in a TikTok video posted under her handle #talktoraye. In the video, she expressed frustration over Nigeria’s worsening economic situation and blamed Tinubu for the country’s struggles, even calling him a “terrible leader.”
Shortly after her comments went viral, Raye claimed that NYSC officials had started threatening her. As a result, she was called to appear at the LGI’s office on Monday for questioning.
On Monday, Sowore, alongside several lawyers, including Festus Ogun, Yinka Oyesomi, and Justice Ojienoh, accompanied Raye to the office to support her. However, according to Sowore, the NYSC officials were nowhere to be found. He shared on his X handle that the LGI failed to show up despite Raye being scheduled to appear.
In a recent development, former Anambra State Governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has voiced strong support for National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member Ushie Rita Uguamaye, also known as Raye.
Raye recently gained attention after posting a TikTok video expressing her frustrations over the rising cost of living in Nigeria. In the video, she tearfully stated the increasing prices of goods and services, questioning the current administration’s efforts to address these economic challenges.
Following the video’s circulation, Raye alleged that she received threats from NYSC officials, pressuring her to remove the content and cautioning her against making political statements online.
Peter Obi took to his official X (formerly Twitter) account to condemn these alleged threats, stating that such actions are antithetical to the principles of democracy. He emphasized that silencing citizens reflects a corrupt and undemocratic government.
Obi also shared his personal experiences of facing intimidation and harassment for offering constructive criticism of government policies.
Obi called on the current administration to reflect deeply on its approach to dissent, underscoring that constructive criticism is a cornerstone of democratic progress.
He urged Nigerians to stand firm and continue advocating for a nation where freedom of speech is upheld, and leadership remains accountable, especially in critical areas like education, healthcare, and poverty alleviation.
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