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North Carolina: Nigerian paramedic convicted of sexually assaulting teen during medical emergency
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A Mecklenburg County jury has found 34-year-old paramedic Akingbiwaju Opadele guilty of sexually assaulting a teenage patient during an emergency transport to the hospital. Opadele, a Nigerian national who worked with Fort Mill Emergency Medical Services, was sentenced to 144 months (12 years) in prison and ordered to register as a sex offender for 30 years.
Following a trial that concluded earlier this month, Opadele was convicted of second-degree forcible sex offense and sexual activity by a custodian.
According to court documents and statements from prosecutors, the incident occurred on January 17, 2023. The teenage victim had suffered a seizure while at school and was being transported by Fort Mill EMS to Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte. An indictment revealed that Opadele sexually assaulted the victim inside the ambulance while she was physically helpless and mentally incapacitated due to her medical condition.
Upon arrival at the hospital, the victim immediately reported the attack to staff and law enforcement. A subsequent investigation led authorities to arrest Opadele in March 2023.
Opadele was initially charged with second-degree forcible sex offense, sexual activity by a custodian, and sexual contact or penetration under the pretext of medical treatment. Prosecutors later dropped the charge related to medical treatment pretext in August ahead of the trial.
Following his arrest in 2023, Opadele was released after posting a $15,000 bond and spent no time in custody prior to his trial. Consequently, judge rulings confirm he will receive no credit for time served toward his 12-year prison sentence.
Opadele has appealed the conviction.