Story from Kenneth AFOR, Lagos
The embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, who was detained by police for alleged sexual assault of a minor has been granted bail.
This was confirmed on Monday by his lawyer, Adesina Ogunlana, in a report by Punch.
READ ALSO: Baba Ijesha faces possible life imprisonment as Lagos Gov’t set to file charges
“He has been granted bail about one hour ago. We are working to perfect the bail. He was granted bail on health grounds. He has not been released. He will be released after his bail conditions have been perfected,” he said.
Baba Ijesha is yet to be released until he provides two reliable sureties – one of them must be a level 10 officer, a direct blood relation, and a N500,000 bail bond in like sum as bail conditions.
The actor was granted bail when magistrates went around police stations across the state, hearing cases of some suspects.
Ogunlana had, in a letter addressed to the Commissioner of Police, dated, May 14, 2021, and titled ‘Re: Olanrewaju James Omiyinka application for immediate grant of bail’.
Part of the letter read, “We are aware that a piece of legal advice on our client’s matter has been issued about two weeks ago, disclosing prospective charges of bailable character.
“From all indications, the investigation has been concluded in his matter and it is inconceivable that the issuance of legal advice will now be a basis for the denial of bail as you have been widely reported in the press to have claimed.
“We submit that the continuous detention of Mr Olanrewaju James Omiyinka at your SCID Panti Yaba facility, for about thirty days now, in our respectful view, is in gross breach of his fundamental human rights as cognisable under the 1999 constitution the grand norm of the nation’s legal architecture.
“As of today when I met with Omiyinka in the company of his thespian colleague and ready surety, Mr Yomi Fabiyi, he appeared traumatised, emaciated, and walked with a limp in his right leg. May I assure you, sir, that Mr Omiyinka is not a flight risk and he is prepared to face trial.”
Baba Ijesha’s ordeal started in April when Nigerian comedian-cum-actress Princess took to social media in tears narrating how the popular actor allegedly raped her 14-years old foster child.
The comedienne in a video revealed how some parents had allowed their kids to stay with her after the crash of her marriage so she wouldn’t be lonely.
She said that the incident happened while she was rendering help to Baba Ijesha, adding that it was during one of his visits that he molested one of the three girls living with her.
Princess said the defilement harmed the child alleging that the child began to sink academically and otherwise.
After seven years, the little girl opened up to Princess and someone else what Baba Ijesha did to her.
To ascertain the girl’s claim, Princess had to call Baba Ijesha for a meeting in her house where she set up a CCTV camera, and he was captured trying to molest the girl again.
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