How Baba Ijesha walked out of court a free man

Invades court with 20 lawyers

LAGOS, Nigeria – The embattled Nollywood star, Olanrewaju James Omiyinka on Thursday literally shocked many when he stormed premises of the Ikeja High Court where he is due for arraignment with 20 lawyers, including two Senior Advocates of Nigeria(SAN).

The actor who has been on public glare over his assault of a 14 year old girl in his office has been in detention since he was arrested by the Lagos State Police Command.

Recall that last week he was denied bail at the Yaba Magistrate Court where he was initially arraigned. But the drama turned to Ikeja on Thursday, when the actor was arraigned. The court was over filled despite the Coronavirus pandemic as lawyers and journalists and Nollywood stars jostle for space to catch a glimpse of the trial.

He was arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja on six count charge of indecent touching of a girl, sucking her fingers and rubbing his penis on her body. He was also charged with attempt to have carnal knowledge of a girl when he went pants down with a view to penetrating the teenage girl.

Baba Ijesha who arrived court in hooded gown pleaded not guilty to all the charges. He was however granted bail in very liberal terms, in the sum of N2 million with two sureties in like sum.

One surety must be a blood relative resident in Lagos and must provide evidence of income tax in the last three years. The second surety must however be a legal practitioner who shall swear to affidavit of means and be verified by the registrar of the court.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo also ruled that the defendant be released to his lawyer, Babatunde Ogala, SAN pending perfection of his bail, thus paving way for Baba Ijesha to walk out of court a free man. This is the first time a defendant accused of sexual offences involving an underage will be getting this kind of liberal bail.

However, during the proceedings, Director of Public Prosecution, DPP Mrs. Olayinka Adeyemi had urged Justice Taiwo to remand the defendant in one of the correctional centres after opposing the bail on condition that the defendant would jump bail.

In his reply, Ogala who announced appearance with 19 other lawyers frowned at the decision of the state to deny the defendant bail and holding him in perpetuity.

According to him, the court should not be used to perpetrate unconstitutionality after quoting relevant sections of the constitution and the ACJ laws. Taiwo granted his request paving the room for bail for Baba Ijesha.