More Than What You Wear

Olaleye was an Optical Cancer Care Foundation doctor who was found guilty of assaulting his wife’s teenage niece for over a year between December 2019 and July 2022. The victim reported to her aunt, Olaleye’s wife, who reported the case to the police. He was arraigned in November 2022 on two counts.

The victim, Olaleye’s wife, a child-care expert, and police officers testified against Olaleye in court. According to their testimonies, he constantly assaulted the girl and even forced her to watch pornography.

The defendant asked for leniency from the court based on his services as a cancer doctor and ‘first-time offender.’ This was dismissed by the judge who described him as a dangerous offender and that his judgement would serve as proof that the system heavily frowns against sexual violence.

This incident is not an isolated event but rather encompasses the atrocious rape culture in Nigeria. The conviction also provides a small glimmer of hope to the underreported area.

Millions of women across the world, and particularly in Nigeria, have been victims of some sort of sexual assault. According to the United Nations, there were 11,200 reported rape cases in Nigeria in 2020. The Lagos police have also confirmed that they recorded 111 sexual assault cases between April and June 2023. Furthermore, the Women at Risk International Foundation, in collaboration with the United States Consulate General, Lagos, has said that 33 per cent of women and girls aged between 15 and 49 have experienced physical and or sexual abuse in their lifetime. However, this number does not total the cases that were left unreported. Victims of rape and sexual assault are often crippled by fear of their assailants, societal stigma and a lack of confidence in the system which prevent them from pursuing justice. This reaction is not unwarranted.