Gbenro Adesina
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos State High Court has granted the bail application of one of the Nigeria’s famous Yoruba actors, Omiyinka Olanrewaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, who is being tried in the court of law for allegedly raping a 14 year old girl.
The court has however, slated July 26 to 28, 2021, for substantive hearing of the case.
Justice Taiwo granted the bail to the tune of two million Naira wit two sureties, saying that one of the surety must be a lawyer and the other a Lagos State resident.
It would be recalled that the Lagos State Police Command arrested Baba Ijesa on April 22, 2021 for allegedly raping a minor.
According to the guardian of the victim, a Nigerian comedian, Damilola Adekoya aka Princess, Baba Ijesa started have a canal knowledge of the victim, who is currently 14 at the age of seven adding that Baba Ijesa has raped the victim twice.
This allegation led to the arraignment of Baba Ijesa on June 16, 2021, in a Yaba Magistrates’ Court on charges of indecent treatment of a child, defilement of a child, sexual assault by penetration, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault.
When a bail application was moved, the Magistrate, P. E. Nwaka declined because the matter is before the High Court, thereby nullifying the jurisdiction of the lower court.
Nwaka noted that, “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”.
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