Alleged Sexual Assault: Victim Testifies Behind Closed Doors Against Baba Ijesha
The 14-year-old girl who was alleged to have been sexually assaulted by Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesa has testified at the Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja.
The alleged victim (name withheld), gave her testimony behind closed doors because of the law protecting minors from undue public exposure.
Before she was brought before the court the judge had ordered journalists and other members of the public who were not involved in the case to go out of the courtroom.
Before her testimony, the lead defence counsel, Snr Advocate of Nigeria, Babatunde Ogala cross-examined comedian, Princes Ademola Adekanye who testified as to the first prosecution witness yesterday.
Under cross-examination, Princess told the court that contrary to public perception that the allegation against Baba Ijesha is a set-up, she said she baited him with a “script conference” because she had a plan to confront him.
She also denied that she set up her child to be molested by her colleague.
According to her, she had to change the victim’s school more than three times when she discovered that the minor was not paying attention to her studies after the alleged rape incident.
When asked if she sought professional help for the child, Princess said she sought spiritual help instead.
Princess also testified that the victim was again molested in her house by a neighbour.
At this point, the defence counsel confronted Princess with a report she had made at the police station accusing one of her neighbours Damola Adekola of sexually harassing her daughter.
The defence team also confronted Princess with an allegation she had made against her gateman accusing him of exposing himself indecently to her daughter.
The cross-examination revealed that even though the incident with the neighbour happened in Dec 2020, Princess did not formally report the matter to the police until April 20, 2021.
The trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo has adjourned the matter to August 11 for the continuation of the trial.
The actor was arraigned before the court by the Lagos State government on a six-count charge of indecent treatment of a child, defilement of a Child, sexual assault by penetration, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja had admitted two videotapes as evidence against Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James Omiyinka, popularly known as ‘Baba Ijesha’.
The evidence, which was tendered by the prosecution through comedian, Adekola Adekanye, also known as Princess, allegedly contained clips of the defendant molesting the victim.
Before the video was played in open court, journalists, lawyers and others not involved in the case were sent out because of the need to protect issues involving the minor.
On June 24, Baba Ijesha was arraigned before the court by the Lagos State Government on a six-count charge of attempted sexual assault, sexual assault of a minor and indecent treatment of a child.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
At the resumed hearing of the matter, the prosecution lead by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Olayinka Adeyemi, presented its first witness, Princess, who narrated how the defendant allegedly committed the offences.
The witness told the court that she met Baba Ijesha in 2008 at an event and the two of them decided to start making comedy skits together.
She also testified that the defendant wooed her in the process of their work relationship but she rejected his proposal.
Princess said she got closer to the actor afterward, especially after her marriage crashed around 2013.
The witness further testified that she invested in Baba Ijesha’s education and that the actor visited her at home afterward.
Princess claimed the actor had visited her at her residence on the day he was caught allegedly sexually assaulting her foster daughter.
During the proceedings, the DPP also informed the court that her office would prosecute a Nollywood actor, Yomi Fabiyi, for contempt of court over his airing of a movie about the facts of a case under judicial consideration.
Adeyemi claimed Fabiyi produced a movie titled “Oko Iyabo,” based on the court proceedings of June 24, 2021.
She said that despite warnings during the proceedings of June 24 that the matter was sub judice and, therefore, prohibited from public discussion elsewhere, Fabiyi went ahead and made a movie about the facts of the case.
Responding to the allegations, defence counsel, Dada Awosika (SAN), said that though he was aware of the movie, it was filmed before the criminal case began in court.
After listening to the lawyers, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo expressed displeasure about the development and ordered for an investigation.
She directed the authorities to investigate the allegations against Fabiyi to enable legal actions to be taken against him if he is found culpable.
Baba Ijesha is yet to put in his defence but the case has been adjourned till tomorrow for the cross-examination of the witness by the lead defense counsel, Babatunde Ogala (SAN).
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