Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James Omiyinka, popularly known as ‘Baba Ijesa’ faces possible life imprisonment as the Lagos State Government is pushing for a charge of defilement and sexual assault, among other crimes.
The State’s Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP, has recommended five charges “after due consideration of the facts in the case file,” Lagos State Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, said in a statement obtained by The Culture Newspaper on Tuesday.
The charges are Defilement Of A Child, punishable by life imprisonment under section 137, Sexual Assault By Penetration which is also punishable by life imprisonment under section 261 and Indecent Treatment Of A Child punishable by 7 years imprisonment under Section 135 of the Criminal Law.
Other charges are Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration punishable by 14 years imprisonment under section 262 of the Criminal law, and Sexual Assault punishable by 3 years imprisonment.
According to Onigbanjo, “It is instructive to note that Lagos State Ministry of Justice has been consistent in its efforts in protecting the vulnerable in our society and since the establishment of the Domestic And Sexual Violence Response Team in 2014, it has till date prosecuted over 800 cases of Sexual Domestic Offenses.
He added that whilst the state would ensure that Mr. Olanrewaju James’ rights as enshrined in the constitution are upheld, the Ministry Of Justice would not relent in its efforts in ensuring that whosoever sexually abuses any residents of Lagos State is speedily brought to book”.
Recall that Baba Ijesha has been in police custody for days after the Nollywood actor was seen in a CCTV footage kissing and fondling sensitive parts of the body of a 14-year-old girl who is a foster daughter of Damilola Adekoya, a comedienne and actress popularly known as Princess.
In the eight-minute long footage, the actor was seen licking and sucking the fingers of his victim.
He was also seen caressing the minor’s legs and thighs in the video while the identity of the minor is concealed. The actor would later lift his victim’s dress as he further caressed her body.
Since the news broke, it has drawn widespread condemnation from many Nigerians with many colleagues of the actor condemning his action and demanding justice for the young girl.