Nollywood actor James Olanrewaju aka Baba Ijesha an alleged child molester will be tried for five offences, reports say. This comes after he was accused of an alleged sexual assault on a minor.
According to reports, a statement by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Moyosore Onigbanjo, said the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) issued legal advice on Tuesday that a prima facie case has been disclosed against Olarenwaju (baba Ijesha).
It was recommended he should be charged under the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
The statement reads:
“James is to be tried under section 135 – indecent treatment of a child- punishable by seven years imprisonment;
section 137 – defilement of a child – punishable by life imprisonment; section 261- sexual assault by penetration – punishable by life imprisonment;
section 262- attempted sexual assault by penetration – punishable by 14 years imprisonment and
section 263 – sexual assault- punishable by three years imprisonment.
“While the state would ensure James’ rights as enshrined in the constitution are upheld, the Ministry of Justice would not relent in its efforts at ensuring that whoever sexually abuses any resident of Lagos is speedily brought to book.”
Baba Ijesha was charged for alleged sexual molestation of a minor.
His case was transferred to the DPP on April 30.
The police in Lagos arrested Baba Ijesha on April 22 for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl when she was seven and assaulting her of recent.
The police said the popular actor was captured in a CCTV in the house of the complainant, Damilola Adekoya, known as Princess, a comedienne cum actress.
The allegation, which has been a subject of hot debate in the media space, also has actors and actresses pitched in different tents, with some supporting the suspect.
A CCTV footage ,which showed the actor kissing and fondling sensitive parts of the body of the minor, surfaced online on Sunday morning.
Several persons have called for the actor to be prosecuted to serve as a deterrence for other pedophiles in the community.