Everything you need to know as Baba Ijesha trial resumes today
Nollywood actor Baba Ijesha trial for alleged defilement of a minor will begin today Thursday, 24 June.
Omiyinka Olanrewaju popularly known as Baba Ijesha was accused of sexual assault of a minor.
His trial will be held in an Ikeja court in Lagos, Nigeria commercial capital.
Lagos state government established a criminal case against Olanrewaju James, and recommended he face five-count charges.
On June 16 a Yaba Chief Magistrate Court denied Baba Ijesha bail request on these charges.
Last week, the Yaba Magistrate court in Lagos extended the actor’s detention period.
It ordered the Nollywood actor to remain in police detention till 13 July, 2021.
The actor’s lawyer told reporters he believes the court will set the actor free. As the actor is believed to be innocent of the charges against him, the lawyer added.
It is still possible that the court will slam the actor with another bail condition he will have to meet.
Last time judicial authorities granted him bail, he failed to meet all his bail conditions.
Another possible outcome today is the court can remand the actor in prison or police detention.
This can happen while the case is still going on.
Though his case is bail-able according to commissioner of police for Lagos.
But his case won’t be the first bailable offense where court has remanded the suspect in prison.
Princess and Baba Ijesha case update
The Yaba court denied the Nollywood actor bail because authorities have already pushed the case to the high court.
Baba Ijesha has been in detention for over two months.
The alleged case has been the biggest sexual offense case in Nigeria for the past two months.
This is because a lot of prominent Nigerians have expressed concern in the case.
Baba Ijesha court trial: Actor Omiyinka Olanrewaju will face these charges
Lagos Attorney General and Commissioner for justice Moyosore Onigbanjo in a statement said:
Police had forwarded the case to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions [DPP] for legal advise.
DPP recommended Baba Ijesha to face five provisions of the 2015 Criminal Law of Lagos State.
- Section 135, Indecent Treatment of a child – which is punishable by 7 years imprisonment
- Section 137, Defilement of a Child, which is punishable by life imprisonment
- Section 261, Sexual Assault by Penetration – which is punishable by life imprisonment
- Section 262, Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration – which is punishable by 14 years imprisonment and
- Section 263, Sexual Assault – which is punishable by 3 years imprisonment
