* Defence Lawyer Says His Health Deteriorating
By Tobias Egeonu (Lagos State Correspondent)
The trial of the popular Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, otherwise known as Baba Ijesha, came up on Wednesday, June 17, 2021, at the Lagos State Magistrate Court sitting in Yaba, at the end of which he was denied bail in the ongoing case of alleged sexual assault.
Baba Ijesha was apprehended and detained by the Police in Lagos over an alleged sexual molestation twice of a minor, known as Princess, who is said to be the foster child of a popular comedian.
The actor was granted bail on May 17 this year, after being kept in police custody for about 25 days in a move to decongest the prison. Baba Ijesha however remained in police custody despite the bail.
During the Wednesday trial, his defense lawyer, Kayode Olabiran, pleaded with the court to release him, citing what he said was the actor's failing health conditions. He said the controversial nature of the case has made it difficult to secure the release of his client despite his bail, as prospective sureties were afraid he might abscond.
However, in his ruling, the trial judge, P. E. Nwaka, held that the court could not grant the actor bail for lack of jurisdiction to do so. The judge also explained that the case had already been filed before the high court.
However, the superintendent of police in charge of the case, Yetunde Cardoso, said the matter was already beyond the police. His words: “Mr. Olanrewaju was actually granted bail during the JUSUN (Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria) strike and based on the conditions given, he couldn’t meet them and he was properly charged today (Wednesday),” she said.
“Just like the court stated, the case has already been filed before the high court and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of Lagos State Ministry of Justice has taken over the matter from the police.
“So presently, we have handed over to the DPP so the case is before them (DPP). It has nothing to do with the police anymore, it’s now left for the DPP to handle it.”, Cardoso stated. NNL.
