Dr. Olaleye previously sentenced to life imprisonment relocated to UK
Dr. Olufemi Olaleye, a Lagos-based medical practitioner previously sentenced to life imprisonment for raping his wife’s teenage niece, has reportedly relocated to the United Kingdom following his acquittal by the Court of Appeal. In 2023, a Sexual Offences Court in Lagos convicted Dr. Olaleye on two counts of defilement and sexual violence against a minor. However, in November 2024, the Court of Appeal overturned this conviction, leading to his release.
The Lagos State Government, dissatisfied with the appellate court’s decision, has since filed an appeal to the Supreme Court seeking a reversal of the acquittal. Upon learning of this development, Dr. Olaleye allegedly fled Nigeria to the United Kingdom to evade further legal proceedings. Gbenga Soloki, Executive Director of the Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence, raised concerns over Dr. Olaleye’s departure and his subsequent actions. Soloki claims that Dr. Olaleye has initiated a media campaign against his estranged wife, Mrs. Aderemi Olaleye, as well as the judiciary and police, accusing them of bias.
Adding complexity to the case, Dr. Olaleye’s legal representative, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro, has formally withdrawn from the case. Pinheiro notified the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution that his engagement concluded at the Appeal Court level and that he would not be representing Dr. Olaleye in the Supreme Court. Efforts to serve Dr. Olaleye with Supreme Court appeal documents via his known WhatsApp number and email were met with a response indicating that he had relocated to the UK and no longer used the contact information.
Soloki further alleges that Dr. Olaleye has employed a blogger to conduct a smear campaign against his wife, falsely claiming she has taken over his property and evaded arrest. These allegations have been dismissed, with clarifications that the property’s ownership is under legal dispute initiated by Dr. Olaleye himself. The residence in question serves as the family home for Mrs. Olaleye and their two children. Since the incident, Dr. Olaleye has reportedly shown little concern for his family, focusing instead on property claims.
Additional accusations portray Dr. Olaleye as a serial offender, with claims of drugging and assaulting clients, supported by alleged video evidence. Prior to his relocation to Nigeria, he was reportedly involved in multiple cases of sexual abuse in the United Kingdom while employed at a well-known hospital. Mrs. Aderemi Fagbemi Olaleye has expressed her intention to seek legal redress, maintaining confidence that the truth will prevail. She has refrained from extensive public commentary, opting to resolve the matter through judicial means.
The case continues to unfold, with the Supreme Court appeal pending and concerns over Dr. Olaleye’s relocation potentially impacting the judicial process. The situation underscores the complexities of legal proceedings in cases involving sexual violence and the challenges posed when defendants evade jurisdiction.