- To spend 16 years in prison
By Francis IWUCHUKWU, Lagos
For being involved in child defilement that includes indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration, and sexual assault by penetration, a Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, aka Baba Ijesha, was on Thursday sent to 16 years imprisonment.
He was sent to jail after being found guilty by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court.
It would be recalled that Baba Ijesha faced six counts of child defilement that include indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration, and sexual assault by penetration slammed against him by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions which argued that the offences contravene Section 135, 137, 261, 202, 262 and 263 of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2015, which stipulates life imprisonment for offenders.
But Baba Ijesha pleaded not guilty to the charge. In handing down her judgment, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo held that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the defendant is guilty of all the charges against him.
The judge, therefore found Baba Ijesha guilty of two of the six counts made against him.
Baba Ijesha was arraigned on June 24, 2021. During the trial, six prosecution witnesses testified against him.
They were actress and comedienne, Princess, the 14-year-old minor, a child expert, Mrs. Olabisi Ajayi-Kayode, and medical doctor, Dr. Aniekan Makanjuola.
Others were the Investigating Police Officer, ASP Wahab Kareem, and a policewoman, Inspector Abigail Omane.
The DPP closed its case against the defendant on December 15, 2021, while Baba Ijesha called four witnesses and closed its defence on April 1.
The defence witnesses were Baba Ijesha (defendant) and Mr. Lawrence Ayeni, an expert in video production and CCTV installation and maintenance.
Mr. Olukayode Olugbemi, a clinical psychologist, and Mr. Olukayode Ogunbanjo, the defendant’s friend and colleague also testified for the defence.
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