Lagos State government to charge Baba Ijesha based on five count charges
Lagos State government on Tuesday disclosed that Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly called Baba Ijesha will be charged based on a five-count charge for the alleged defilement of a minor which might land in life imprisonment.
According to the statement signed by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in the state, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, he stated that “It would be recalled that the Nigeria Police Force arrested Mr. Olanrewaju James (also referred to as Baba Ijesha) on account of various sexual abuse allegations. On the 30th of April, 2021, the Police forwarded the case file of COP v Olanrewaju James to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advice.
He revealed that after due consideration of the facts in the case file, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued legal advice on the 4th of May, 2021 that a prima facie case should be charged against the actor and the ministry recommended that he be charged under the provisions of Criminal law of Lagos State 2015.
READ ALSO: Read the full gist of how Baba Ijesha defiled Comedienne Princess’ daughter
“Section 135, Indecent Treatment of a child- punishable by 7 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 3 years imprisonment.
“Whilst the State would ensure that Mr. Olanrewaju James’s rights as enshrined in the Constitution are upheld, the Ministry of Justice would not relent in its efforts in ensuring that whoever sexually abuses any resident of Lagos State is speedily brought to book. It is instructive to note that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has been consistent in it’s 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 and Domestic offenses.
“The Attorney-General hereby assures Lagosians and indeed Nigerians that in accordance with the DPP’s advise, charges would be filed accordingly.”
