Magistrate court sitting in Lagos state has on Wednesday, June 16 reportedly denied Baba Ijesha, embattled Nollywood actor, bail in the ongoing trial over alleged sexual assault.
It would be recalled that the movie star was arrested and detained by the Lagos state police after he was alleged to have sexually molested a minor at 7 and 14.
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Then on Monday, May 17, Baba Ijesha, whose real name is James Olanrewaju, was granted after 25 days in police detention and a day after his lawyer, Adesina Ogunlana, wrote to the police explaining that his client is traumatized, weak and growing lean in police detention.
Among the bail conditions listed by the lawyer for Baba Ijesha’s release are two reliable sureties – one of them must be a level 10 officers, a direct blood relation, and N500,000 bail bond in like sum.
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The trial was also stalled following the industrial action by Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).
The strike was, however, called off last week, prompting the court to begin hearing on the movie star’s case on Wednesday.
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During the trial on Wednesday, Kayode Olabiran, his counsel, prayed the court to release his client, citing his deteriorating health.
He said the controversial nature of the case has made it difficult to secure his release despite his bail as intending sureties were scared of the likely consequences.
However, in his ruling, P. E Nwaka, the judge, held that the court can not grant the actor bail because the matter is beyond its jurisdiction.
The judge also explained that the case has already been filed before the high court, adding that he will remain in police detention till July 21.
Also speaking, Yetunde Cardoso, the superintendent of police in charge of the case, said the matter is now beyond the police.
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She expressed;
Mr Olanrewaju was actually granted bail during the JUSUN strike and based on the conditions given, he couldn’t meet them and he was properly charged today (Wednesday).
Just like the court stated, the case has already been filed before the high court and the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) of Lagos State Ministry of Justice has taken over the matter from the police.
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Cardoso stressed;
So presently, we have handed over to the DPP so the case is before them (DPP). It has nothing to do with the police anymore, it’s now left for the DPP to handle it.
See some photos of Baba Ijesha while in court below;
