Mobolaji Michael
A Lagos-based medical doctor who was discharged and acquitted by the Court of Appeal after being found guilty of rape of his wife’s 16-year-old niece, Dr Femi Olaleye has discountenanced reports suggesting that he fled Nigeria following an appeal lodged by the Lagos State government at the Supreme Court.
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence had last week raised the alarm over the alleged abscondment of the embattled medical doctor who the organisation claimed had fled to the United Kingdom.
In a personally signed statement made available to the media, Comrade Gbenga Soloki, the Executive Director of Centre Against Injustice and Domestic Violence, alleged that Dr Olaleye fled Nigeria immediately after the Lagos State government filed an appeal against his acquittal by the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal.
The NGO also accused the medical doctor of launching a media campaign against his estranged wife, Mrs Aderemi Olaleye, the judiciary, and the police, accusing them of bias in the matter.
Adding another dimension to the case, Soloki revealed that Olaleye’s lawyer, Dr Kemi Pinheiro, has formally withdrawn from representing him.
Pinheiro reportedly refused to accept legal documents related to the Supreme Court appeal, stating that his engagement with the case ended at the Court of Appeal.
“Mr Pinheiro wrote to the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution, notifying them that he is no longer Dr Olaleye’s legal representative and will not be defending him at the Supreme Court,” Soloki said.
According to Soloki, Dr Olaleye was officially served with the Supreme Court appeal documents via his known WhatsApp number and email.
However, he allegedly responded with a message stating that the number no longer belonged to him, as he had relocated to the UK.
“To further evade justice, Dr Olaleye has reportedly hired a blogger to lead a media smear campaign against his wife, falsely claiming that she has taken over his house and evaded arrest,” Soloki added.
However, responding to these allegations, Dr Olaleye described them as containing “multiple baseless claims, and I feel it is important to respond to each of them directly to maintain the integrity of the truth”.
According to him, contrary to the claim by the NGO, he did not abscond to the United Kingdom. “I left Nigeria nearly three weeks before the Lagos State government filed its Notice of Appeal. My departure from Nigeria was neither sudden nor secretive. In fact, I publicly shared my travel plans through several articles published online and even on my WhatsApp status.
“I left Nigeria almost three weeks before the Lagos State government (LASG) filed its Notice of Appeal on 11 December 2024. That appeal was only filed on 28 December 2024, long after my departure.”
On the alleged refusal of his known counsel to accept Supreme Court documents relating to the appeal filed at the apex court, Dr Olaleye pointed out that his decision to change his counsel was formally communicated to the Court of Appeal on 14 January 2025, just two weeks after the appeal filing.
“Yes, Dr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), my former lawyer, officially withdrew from representing me. This is entirely normal procedure, and it was done professionally. Soloki’s interpretation of this is flawed- Mr. Pinheiro communicated his withdrawal to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, as required. He was fully informed, and legal documents were sent to my new legal team. There is no “evading” justice here-this is a matter of proper legal procedure.
“My change of legal counsel was formally communicated to the Court of Appeal on 14 January 2025, just two weeks after the appeal filing. My new Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Chief. J.S. Okutepa, with chambers in Abuja, officially wrote to the court.
“The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was also duly copied in this correspondence. Given these facts, it is clear that the claim of “abscondment” is baseless and deliberately misleading. It is unfortunate that some individuals and organisations continue to rely on false narratives rather than facts.”
Dr Olaleye equally debunked the allegation of launching a smear media campaign, pointing out that “Soloki’s attempt to frame me as launching a “media campaign” against my estranged wife, the judiciary, and the police is another baseless accusation. What I have done is ensure that the truth is shared widely. I have not engaged in any smear campaign; rather, I have merely corrected the record, ensuring that the facts are available for anyone who seeks the truth.”
Dr Olaleye also discountenanced the NGO’s claim on the ownership of the family property, noting “Soloki’s comments about the ownership of the family home are misleading. The ownership of the property is a matter already being addressed in the courts. His attempt to portray me as neglecting my family is misleading and ignores the ongoing legal processes.”
On allegations of sexual misconduct, Dr Olaleye insisted that the accusations of sexual abuse and video evidence mentioned are grossly defamatory. “These allegations are not only false but are also part of a continuous attempt to damage my reputation. There is no credible evidence to support these claims, and I reject them entirely.
“Soloki’s statements regarding my estranged wife’s response to this matter are misplaced. She has chosen to pursue legal channels to resolve the issues at hand, and I respect that decision. My focus remains on legal resolution, not on public spectacle.
“In conclusion, I remain committed to my pursuit of justice through legal means. This is not about revenge or seeking attention–it’s about ensuring that the truth prevails. I trust that the court will eventually clear my name, and will continue to defend my integrity in the face of these ongoing falsehoods.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media reports that Dr Olaleye was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2023 by a Sexual Offences Court in Lagos on two counts of defilement and sexual violence against a minor.
However, in November 2024, the Court of Appeal overturned the conviction, acquitting him of all charges.
Eighteen-Eleven Media