24th June, 2021
Embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka popularly known as Baba Ijesha on Thursday pleaded not guilty to charges of child molestation.
Baba Ijesha is being arraigned before the Lagos State Special Offence and Domestic Violence Court over sexual assault charges.
Baba Ijesha pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge bordering on the indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by penetration.
The offences contravene Sections 135, 259, 262, 263 and 262 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi, following the plea, requested that the defendant should be remanded by the court.
Meanwhile, the lead defence counsel, Mr Dada Awosika (SAN), in a bail application supported by a 29-paragraph affidavit, prayed the court to grant the defendant bail in liberal terms.
The bail application was brought pursuant to Section 105(2) and (3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State, 2015, and Sections 35 and 36 of the 1999 Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
Awosika said, “I will wish to note that the issue of bail, especially on an offence of this nature, is a constitutional right.
“This is a right the defendant has been deprived of for the past 48 days when he was unlawfully held by the police.
“We are also not unconscious of the JUSUN strike which made it difficult to bring him to court,” he said.
The counsel prayed the court to grant the defendant bail, saying that it was guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.
“Imagine if this man is kept in detention for many years and is found innocent, will there be any restitution? No.
“Justice and fairness should be done.”
In response, Adeyemi urged that the defendant should be denied bail because according to her, the defendant is a flight risk and can influence witnesses, if granted bail.
In Adeyemi’s words, “I want to bring to my lord’s attention the nature of one of the offences – sexual assault by penetration – which carries life imprisonment.
“Bail is a discretionary right, it is not a constitutional right.
“On the nature of the offence and the strength of the evidence, there is a prima facie case before your lordship.
“The court should take judicial notice of the crime which is rampant in society.”
Adeyemi added that the prosecution had six witnesses in the case.
The presiding judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo stood down proceedings to give a ruling on the bail application.