Admin l Saturday, April 02, 2022
LAGOS, Nigeria – Mr Olukayode Ogunbanjo, aka Pastor Jerosi the fourth defence witness in the trial of Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James alias Baba Ijesha, charged with defilement has testified before an Ikeja Special Offences court.
He testified just as defence counsel, Mr Dada Awosika (SAN), notified the court that the witness would be the last to testify and appealed to the court for date of adoption of final written address.
“I wish to appeal to the court for the possible date of adoption of final written address,” Awosika said. The witness, Mr Olukayode Ogunbanjo, alias Pastor Jerosi, testified before an Ikeja Special Offences Court while being led in evidence by co-defence counsel, Kayode Olabiran, that he had worked with Baba Ijesha for over 15 years in the entertainment Industry.
Ogunbanjo, an actor and a comedian, told the court that Baba Ijesha was his friend and a colleague. He revealed that Baba Ijesha got in contact with Princess during one of the show he anchored called “Orisun”.
“We were like five that used to do the show together. On that date while the show was going on, Princess called on the hot line that she wanted to join our programme. There was a day she called Baba Ijesha that he should come over to her place in Iwaya. I drove the car to Princess’ houses in Iwaya.
“When we got there, Ijesha prostrated to Princesses mother and the woman said ‘take good care of my daughter. Ijesha at that point revealed to me that he was dating Princess but she was taking the relationship too far,” the witness said.
Under cross-examination by the Lagos State prosecution counsel, Mr Yusuf Sule, the witness, however, said he did not have a knowledge of what transpired inside Princesses house.
“On April 19, 2021, I will be correct to say that you were not at No. 13 Wellbow Street Iwaya, as a result, you do not know what transpired inside Princesses house,” Sule asked.
“On April 19, 2021, I did not know what transpired inside the house as I was in Aguda in Surulere. All I know is what I have said. I was not inside the house. I do not have any knowledge of what happened in the house,” he said.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo said both counsels should exchange their written addresses and be ready for adoption. Taiwo adjourned the case until June 6 for the adoption of final written address.
