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Lagos Heads To S’Court Over Judgment Nullifying Femi Olaleye’s Rape Conviction
The Lagos State Government has filed an appeal before the Supreme Court to challenge the Court of Appeal’s decision that overturned the conviction of Femi Olaleye, a medical doctor and managing director of the Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, for the defilement of his wife’s niece.
In October 2023, Olaleye was convicted by the Lagos State Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court on two counts of defilement of a child and sexual assault by penetration.
The charges were brought against him by the state’s Ministry of Justice in November 2022.
But, on November 29, 2024, the Court of Appeal acquitted Olaleye, citing errors in the lower court’s judgment.
The appellate court held that the evidence presented by the prosecution was “tainted” and “unreliable,” leading to the overturning of his conviction.
In response to this ruling, some Civil Society Organisations piled pressure on the state government to appeal the decision.
They petitioned the Lagos State Attorney General, Lawal Pedro (SAN), urging the government to challenge the judgment at the Supreme Court to restore public trust in the justice system.
The Commissioner for Justice had on December 12, 2024, told newsmen during a press briefing that the case file was already on his table and the ministry was going to review the judgment of the appellate court.
Pedro, when asked if there was any plan to appeal the judgment had said he had 90 days of right of appeal.
According to him, there was a need to study the file because there were ways to look at things from the point of law.
The AG added there was no sentiment or emotion about the law.
He said the case file would be reviewed and if there was any reason to challenge the appellate court, they would head to the Supreme Court.
However, on December 27, 2024, the Lagos State Government filed an appeal before the Supreme Court, seeking to reverse the Court of Appeal’s acquittal of Olaleye.
The state government’s grounds for appeal include the argument that the appellate court erred in disregarding Section 209(2) of the Evidence Act, 2011, and the Supreme Court decision in Dagaya v. State (2006).
The state contended that the sworn evidence of a child above the age of 14 requires corroboration, as specified by Section 209(3) of the Evidence Act, 2011, which mandates that the evidence of a child under 14 needs corroboration to secure a conviction.
The state further held that the Justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law when they held that Exhibits H, H1, and H2, were wrongly admitted and relied upon by the trial court having failed to conduct trial within trial for their admissibility.
“The factors guiding admissibility of confessional statements are well laid down in Sections 28 and 29 of the Evidence Act 2011, and objection to such admissibility must be raised at the time the statement is sought to be tendered not after it has been admitted without objection.
“Where an objection to the admissibility of a document on the ground of voluntariness of the statement has been withdrawn by the defendant, there is no requirement to conduct trial within trial hence Exhibits H, H1 and H2 were properly admitted.
“After the close of the prosecution’s case, a defendant called as a witness may be cross-examined on his earlier statement with a view to contradict him by the writing or discredit him as in the instant appeal and this is permitted under Section 232, of the Evidence Act, 2011, and such statement does not require trial within trial.
The state added that the Justices of the Court of Appeal erred in law when they held that the failure of the prosecution to call DPO Patricia Amadi and Aunty Tessy was fatal to the case of the prosecution in the trial court.
“The law is settled that the prosecution is not obliged to call all the witnesses listed in the information or a host of witnesses is required to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
“A single witness who gives cogent eyewitness account on a vital point will suffice.
“The absence of Aunty Tessy was not in any way fatal to the case of the prosecution where evidence of PW2 (Prosecution witness 2) and that of other witnesses has already established the ingredients of the offence against the defendant/respondent.
“The absence of DPO Patricia Amadi who was not the Investigating Police Officer was not in any way fatal to the case of the prosecution. More so, when PW6, who investigated the case, gave evidence of the investigation and this was not discredited,” the state said.
Also, the state sought the following reliefs: An order allowing the appeal and setting aside the judgment of the Court of Appeal delivered on November 29, 2024.
An order affirming the conviction and sentences of Olaleye by the trial court in Charge No. ID/20289C/2022.
Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi recently defended his past interactions with armed groups, stating he “took the bull by the horns” in 2021 as a necessary step to address Nigeria’s insecurity.
In a post shared on Facebook on Thursday, Gumi said decades of neglect of disadvantaged populations had created deep socio-economic inequalities, leaving many youths vulnerable to manipulation by external forces seeking to destabilise the country.
According to him, the widening gap between the rich and the poor has turned many young people into “ready-made foot soldiers” in cycles of violence that enable the exploitation of Nigeria’s resources.
He also criticised the political class for being largely unresponsive, while noting that the intellectual community is preoccupied with survival struggles.
Reflecting on his past efforts, Gumi said he “took the bull by the horns” in 2021 by attempting to reintegrate violent elements into society rather than allowing them to be further radicalised.
He wrote: “Nigeria for decades has ignored the underprivileged section of its society. There is a significant socio-economic discrepancy, and the society is stratified. This makes our teaming youth ready-made foot soldiers for any foreign interest trying to divide us and rule. To plunder our resources while we are involved in a vicious circle of violence.
”Unfortunately, the political class is unattentive while the intelligentsia is held hostage in the struggle for existence.
“In 2021, I took the bull by the horns in an attempt to bring some of these uncouth elements back to our fold rather than letting them be exploited by the devil.
“I still believe this is the only way out of our predicament. However, it needs the political will and determination to achieve.
“May Allah bring peace back to our nation.”
The Federal High Court in Abuja rejected an ex-parte application seeking to bar Senator Ireti Kingibe from participating in the activities of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Justice Peter Lifu declined the request from Wuse Ward leaders, ruling that such an order could not be granted without first hearing from the senator.
Instead, the judge ordered the ward leaders said to be loyal to the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, to put the senator on notice to appear in court to join issues with them on their grievances.
Justice Lifu in a ruling on Thursday held that discretion in such a request for prohibition from party activities and in political matters must be exercised judicially and judiciously.
The judge said justice would be met in the case of the plaintiffs only when the side of the defendant is heard on its merit, along with that of the plaintiffs.
Consequently, the judge ordered that Senator Ireti Kingibe should be served with all court processes by the plaintiffs to enable her become aware of the suit and to prepare her defense.
The judge fixed April 20, 2026, for the plaintiffs and the serving senator to appear before him for hearing of all applications in the matter.
Those who sued the senator in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/ CV/539/2026 are Okezuo Godfrey Anayo and Isaiah Ojonugwa Samuel, on behalf of themselves and ward members as plaintiffs. The senator is the sole defendant.
In their ex-parte application, Kingibe representing the FCT in the Senate was said to have been suspended on March 10, 2026 by her Wuse Ward executives following allegations of anti-party activities and disregard of your cnstitution of the ADC.
In the ex- parte application filed on their behalf by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Kolawole Olowookere, the aggrieved ADC members in Wuse Ward applied for an order of interim injunction restraining Kingibe from parading herself as a member of party, pending the hearing and determination of their motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.
They also asked the judge to restrain the senator from performing any function, attending meetings or performing activities reserved for ADC members or representing the party in any activities.
Besides, the Ward Executive Committee had asked that she be restrained from further interfering with the administration of the ward, ward register and other activities.
The suit was predicated on five grounds among which are that Mrs Kingibe was placed on suspension due to anti-party activities, gross misconduct and confiscation of the ward statutory records.
They argued that the suspension followed due process as enshrined in the ADC constitution and ratified by the two thirds majority of the EXCO members.
They averred that despite the communication of the suspension to Kingibe, she has continued to hold parallel meetings, issue press statements as an ADC member, and using her security details to intimidate the executive committee.
“Her actions constitute flagrant disregard to the internal mechanism of the party,” the plaintiffs stated.
Meanwhile, a lawyer, Abubakar Marshall who claimed to be representing the senator, announced that he had filed a preliminary objection against the suit. He added that it was served on M. S. Garba, who stood for the plaintiffs at Thursday’s proceedings.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, visited Jos, Plateau State, on Thursday, April 2, 2026, to lead a high-powered security assessment following recent security breaches.
The visit was aimed at strengthening public confidence and reinforcing ongoing efforts to stabilize affected communities.
Colonel Appolonia Anele, acting Director, Army Public Relations, said in a statement that the visit forms part of ongoing efforts to restore calm and entrench lasting peace across the state.
According to the statement, upon arrival, the COAS was received by the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, in a clear demonstration of strong civil-military cooperation and a shared commitment to addressing emerging security challenges.
The statement said the COAS received a comprehensive operational briefing from the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander, Joint Task Force Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Folusho Oyinlola, who highlighted ongoing operations and proactive measures being implemented in synergy with other security agencies to contain threats, protect lives and property, and stabilise affected communities.
“As part of his engagements, Lieutenant General Shaibu also interacted with community leaders and residents, reassuring them of the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian Army to safeguarding all law-abiding citizens.
He urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and supportive of security agencies by complying with the curfew and cooperating fully with ongoing operations and investigations, while going about their lawful activities.
The chairman of Jos North Local Government Area, Hon. Dachung Bagos, commended the COAS for the timely visit, noting that the presence of the nation’s top military leadership would boost public confidence and reinforce trust in ongoing security efforts.
Gumi Defends Dialogue As Sole Solution To Nigeria’s Insecurity
Court Clears Senator Ireti Kingibe To Remain Active In ADC
COAS Shaibu Hits Jos To Restore Peace, Public Confidence
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