A Yaba Magistrate Court in Lagos State, on Wednesday, failed to grant bail to a popular Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.
The embattled actor is being tried on charges bothering on rape, sexual assault and abuse of a minor.
The Chief Magistrate, Mr P.E Nwaka, in his ruling, turned down Baba Ijesha’s application for bail on the ground that the same charge is already before a Lagos State High Court, hence no bail can be given.
In his words, “I have carefully considered the application of the counsel to the defendant seeking bail for the defendant and the opposition by the counsel from the DPP.
“Since there are indications that the matter is before the High Court and the defendant will appear before the court, no bail can be given.
“The defendant must be accorded full medical attention by the authorities pending his arraignment at the high court,” the Magistrate said.
Mr Nwaka also adjourned the matter till July 13 for mention.
Baba Ijesha has been in police custody since April 22, 2021, over allegetions that he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl in the care of popular comedienne, Adekola Adekanya, otherwise called Princess.
Baba Ijesha was arrested by the Lagos Police Command after he was seen in a CCTV footage allegedly abusing a 14-year-old girl. It was also alleged that the actor had abused the girl seven years ago.
Similarly, the State Government had given the state’s Police Command the nod to charge Baba Ijesha, to court over allegetions of sexually assualt.
The legal advice given by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions revealed that Baba Ijesha may be sentenced to life imprisonment in one of the five charges if found guilty in court.
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