Baba Ijesha Knows Fate Tomorrow

An Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court will tomorrow, 19 September decide whether or not to grant the prayers of Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James (a.k.a. Baba Ijesha) for suspension of his sentence pending the determination of his appeal pending before the Lagos Division of Court of Appeal.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo had last Wednesday fixed tomorrow for ruling on his application for suspended sentence pending appeal now before the court.

The convict is presently serving a five-year concurrent jail for child defilement.

During the last proceedings, Baba Ijesha, through his counsel, Chukwudi Adiukwu, had told the court that his application for suspension of his sentence until the determination of his appeal was filed under special circumstances.

Adiukwu, informed the court they have filed his application for bail pending appeal pursuant to Section 6 (6) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

He argued that Section 51 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, Lagos State 2015, empowers the court to admit the applicant to bail, either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions.

He said granting their application would serve the course of justice

To support their application, the lawyer highlighted special circumstances under which the court could grant bail and suspended sentence to his client to include the difficulty in getting an early date at the Court of Appeal might be difficult, considering the number of cases in their docket.

He further stated that when the prison calendar is considered, the applicant would have served his five-year concurrent jail term within three years and six months, before the hearing might take place at the appeal court.

But the state prosecuting counsel, Omowunmi Bajulaiye-Bishi, in her submission, objected to the application, arguing that the applicant failed to establish the special circumstances laid out in Lagos ACJL 2015.

Bajulaiye-Bishi urged the judge to reject the applicant’s request and allow him to serve his full jail sentence as prescribed by the court.

Justice Taiwo had in July sentenced Baba Ijesha to 16 years imprisonment for child defilement.

He was convicted of four out of a six-count charge brought against him by the Lagos State Government.

He was jailed for child defilement, indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault and attempted sexual assault by penetration.