Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, has on Monday adjourned the alleged child molestation case against embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, better known as Baba Ijesha, till Tuesday, July 27.
The 48-year-old film star was arrested and detained by Lagos police after allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage girl in the care of comedienne, Princess when she was 7 and recently at 14.
Read Also: Veteran Nollywood Actor, Baba Ijesha Arrested For Allegedly Defiling 14-Year-Old Girl
Baba Ijesha is being tried on a six-count charge which includes sexual assault by penetration, indecent treatment of a child, and sexual assault. Others are the indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault and attempted sexual assault by penetration.
On Monday, Olayinka Adeyemi, Lagos state director of public prosecution (DPP), presented three witnesses — including Princess — against the actor as the trial began.
Adeyemi also tendered a Compact Disk (CD) copy of a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage before the court as evidence in the case after Princess gave an account of what transpired.
Read Also: EXPLICIT VIDEO: CCTV Footage Shows How Baba Ijesha Sexually Molested 14-Year-Old Girl
However, Babatunde Ogala, counsel to Baba Ijesha, opposed the gesture, arguing that the CCTV footage was not “primary evidence.”
He said;
Primary evidence is not secondary evidence. The maker of the CCTV footage is the primary evidence. The CD is secondary evidence which is not admissible.
In her ruling, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, the judge, held that the footage can be admitted in the case, adding that the witness and prosecution laid enough foundation for its admission.
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The judge ruled;
She (Princess) has laid enough foundation, so it’s admissible. The witness has given enough information on it so I’ll allow it.
Meanwhile, Princess recounted how she met Baba Ijesha and how the actor allegedly sexually assaulted the minor.
According to Princess, she met Baba Ijesha in 2008 at an event and the two decided to start making comedy skits together.
The comedienne also claimed Ijesha wooed her in the process of their work relationship but she rejected his proposal.
Princess said she got close to the actor afterwards, especially after her marriage crashed around 2013.
The comedienne claimed she invested in Baba Ijesha’s education and the actor often visit her at home thereafter.
She claimed the actor visited her at her residence on the day he was caught allegedly sexually assaulting her foster daughter.
Baba Ijesha was yet to speak when the case was adjourned and slated to resume tomorrow after examination of the primary evidence.
His trial for the alleged offences, which he pleaded not guilty to, is expected to last between July 26 and July 28.
