Activists involved in the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of Lagos-based medical doctor, Dr Femi Olaleye, have commended the United Kingdom authorities for his arraignment on fresh sexual-offence charges, describing the development as a vindication of their long-held position on the matter.
In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the activists also praised Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos State Sexual Offences Court for his “diligent and courageous judgment” delivered in October 2023, in which he sentenced Dr Olaleye to life imprisonment before the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal later overturned the conviction on technical grounds.
Dr Drlaleye was arrested at Heathrow Airport on Thursday, November 27, 2025, upon arrival from a trip and subsequently taken into custody at Kent Police Station.
He was arraigned on Friday, December 5, 2025, at the Medway Magistrates’ Court on allegations of sexual offences allegedly committed while he worked as an obstetrician and gynaecologist at Darent Valley Hospital, under the Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, between January 2005 and September 2008.
The magistrate denied him bail and ordered his remand in custody until January 2, 2026, when his trial is scheduled to begin.
The activists described the UK arraignment as further proof of the “gravity and pattern” of the allegations against the doctor.
Actress Kate Henshaw jointly signed the statement; Executive Director of CAIDOV, Gbenga Soloki; Founder, Bruised But Not Broken Foundation, Anthonia Ojenagbon; Toyin Ndidi Taiwo-Ojo of Stop the Abuse of Women and Children Foundation; Aderonke Oyelakin of Child Protection Network, Lagos; Dr Drmi Ekere; Rose Umeh; Dr Drela Udoka; Jite Ellen; Elijah Ajanu-Ojo of Women Arise for Change Initiative; and Kingsley Obom-Egbulem of Men Against Rape.
They lauded Justice Oshodi for the “thoroughness” of his work during the Nigerian trial.
“We must commend Justice Rahman Oshodi for the wonderful job he is doing at the Lagos State Sexual Offences Court, especially on the case of Dr FDr Olaleye, whom he sent to jail based on evidence presented by the survivor as well as the painstaking prosecution by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions,” the activists stated.
They noted that the judge’s handling of the case reaffirmed the judiciary as the “last hope of the common man.”
Dr Olaleye, 58, was accused in Nigeria of sexually abusing his wife’s niece over 18 months in 2022. He was arrested after the matter was reported at the Anthony Police Division and was sentenced to life imprisonment in 2023 following a year-long trial. However, the Lagos Court of Appeal later discharged and acquitted him.
The activists urged the Supreme Court to thoroughly examine the appeal filed by the Lagos State Government against the acquittal.
“The Lagos State Government should be commended for appealing the judgment of the Court of Appeal. We urge the Justices of the Supreme Court to carefully peruse the issues raised,” the statement said.
They added that the doctor’s arraignment in the UK “indicates that he has a case to answer on allegations of being a serial pedophile and sexual offender.”
