The Yaba Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State, on Wednesday,
declined granting the bail application brought before it by embattled Nollywood
actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.
Baba Ijesha, who wore a blue t-shirt, was taken to court in
a Black Maria vehicle of the Rapid Response Squad.
Baba Ijesha has been in police custody since April 22, 2021,
when the Lagos State Police Command announced his arrest for allegedly sexually
assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the care of popular comedienne, Adekola
Adekanya, otherwise called Princess.
Recall that Lagos State Attorney-General, Moyosore
Onigbanjo, SAN, said Baba Ijesha might be sentenced to life imprisonment if
found guilty in court.
“After due consideration of the facts in the case file, the
Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued legal advice on the 4th of May, 2021,
which is to the effect that a prima facie case has been disclosed against Mr.
Olanrewaju James and recommended he be charged under the following provisions
of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015,” he had said.
On May 17, 2021, Baba Ijesha was granted bail by magistrates
and judicial workers on tour to decongest prisons in the state during the
industrial action by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria.
However, Baba Ijesha could not meet the bail conditions
which include N500,000 and a level 16 civil servant as surety.
Baba Ijesha consequently appeared before the magistrate in
Yaba on Wednesday.
Speaking with reporters after the arraignment today, one of
the counsel for the suspect, Kayode Olabinran, said he prayed the court to
grant his client bail on health grounds.
He, however, said the magistrate declined granting his
client bail as the case was already filed at the High Court in Lagos by the
Directorate of Public Prosecutions in the state.
He said, “He (Baba Ijesha) was not granted bail because the
case has been filed at the High Court and that has denied the (Magistrate)
Court the power to grant him bail.”
Olabinran also said the date for the hearing at the High
Court was not yet known.
Also Baba Ijesha’s colleague, Yomi Fabiyi, who was in court
in solidarity with the actor, said “justice must not be dispensed with personal
sentiment”.
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