Nollywood star Kate Henshaw has sparked a heated online debate after criticizing the Nigerian judiciary over the previous acquittal of Dr. Olufemi Francis Olaleye, a medical doctor who is now in custody in the United Kingdom on unrelated allegations.
Henshaw expressed outrage that Justice Olukayode Bada of the Court of Appeal—whom she believed played a direct role in Olaleye’s acquittal—should, in her words, “hide his face in shame,” especially now that the doctor is facing fresh charges overseas. According to her, the judge’s earlier decision to free Olaleye had enabled him to “walk free” until the recent UK arrest.
Her comment quickly drew a strong rebuke from a social media user known as “Foundational Nupe Lawyer,” who accused the actress of misunderstanding how the appellate system works. He pointed out that Court of Appeal judgments are delivered by a panel of three justices, not a single judge acting alone, making it impossible for one individual to unilaterally discharge or acquit a defendant.
The commenter went further, explaining that legal outcomes in Nigeria have no automatic bearing on proceedings in another country, because the alleged offences, victims, and evidentiary requirements differ. He stressed that each jurisdiction applies its own legal process from start to finish.
According to him, “emotional justice” cannot override the rule of law, and court decisions—whether in favour of the accused or the State—must rest solely on facts, evidence, and legal principles, not on public sentiment or pressure from popular figures.
His detailed rebuttal did not sit well with Henshaw, who fired back with her own sharp words. She dismissed his legal lecture, responded with personal insults, and stood firmly by her earlier criticism of the Nigerian appellate justice involved in the case.
The exchange between the actress and the netizen quickly circulated across social media platforms, reigniting conversations around public reactions to court rulings, celebrity influence on justice discourse, and the complexities of cross-border criminal investigations.
While Dr. Olaleye’s case continues in the UK—where his next hearing is reportedly scheduled for January 21, 2026—the online confrontation has highlighted once again how emotionally charged legal matters become when they intersect with public figures and social media commentary.
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