Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) says it will prosecute Nollywood actor, Yomi Fabiyi, for contempt of court over his controversial film based on Baba Ijesha sexual assault case.
Baba Ijesha is facing a six-count charge bordering on the indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration, and sexual assault by penetration in court.
It would be recalled that Fabiyi earlier came under criticism after he released ‘Oko Iyabo’, a movie on the sexual assault case against Baba Ijesha.
In the movie, he detailed his own version of the “incidents that led to the arrest and trial of his embattled colleague.”
The project’s characters take on the names of others also involved in the case including comedian, who is the foster mother of the alleged victim, Princess and actress, Iyabo Ojo, who has been calling for justice for the abused girl, whom the story seemingly centers around.
Iyabo Ojo’s character is portrayed first as a young child from a dysfunctional home. Princess’s foster daughter is also portrayed as a young woman in a consenting sexual with Baba Ijesha.
The movie was, however, met with an avalanche of backlashes on social media, especially Twitter, wherein users slammed Fabiyi for making a movie about a case that was still in court.
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Theater Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners’ Association (TAMPAN) also suspended the filmmaker but he snubbed the guild.
According to NAN, Olayinka Adeyemi, press director of Lagos DPP, has stated that Fabiyi’s controversial film on the case amounts to contempt of court, considering that the facts of the case are under judicial consideration.
Read Also: Oko Iyabo Movie: I’m Not A TAMPAN Member, Yomi Fabiyi Reacts To Suspension
Adeyemi, who spoke on Monday at the special offenses court in Ikeja, Lagos, said Fabiyi’s movie was based on the court proceedings of June 24, 2021.
He told the court that, despite warnings during proceedings of June 24 that the matter was sub judice, therefore, prohibited from public discussion, Fabiyi went ahead and made a movie about the facts of the case.
The DPP spokesperson noted that the movie, which was aired after the proceedings of June 24, breached the judge’s directives by revealing sensitive information about the case which is before the court.
He said;
Despite the warnings of this honourable court, an actor called Yomi Fabiyi went ahead and made a movie about the facts of this case. He used real names of the parties and witnesses in this matter in the movie.
Our application is to exclude him, his privies, and his agents from proceedings in court. He is not in court at the moment but his representatives may be in court. This is contempt of court and we intend to prosecute him.
Meanwhile, Dada Awosika (SAN), the lead defense counsel, argued that the movie was made before the criminal case began in court.
Read Also: Baba Ijesha: Court Admits CCTV Footage As Evidence, Adjourns Sexual Assault Trial
Awosika stated;
The movie is about the controversy between two artistes, Yomi Fabiyi and Iyabo Ojo. I saw the movie on YouTube. The two of them are supporters on different sides. Fabiyi is one supporter and Ojo is another supporter. This movie is about the controversy between both of them and they are not parties to this case.
Reacting, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, the judge, expressed displeasure about the development and ordered an investigation.
Taiwo stated;
This case is sub judice and you are not to be making videos and disparaging comments on social media. This needs to be investigated.
