Baba Ijesha
The sexual assault trial of Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, aka Baba Ijesha at the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, will resume on Wednesday and Thursday.
The Nation reports Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo had adjourned the matter to August 11 and 12 for continuation of trial.
At the last court sitting, the DPP had requested the court to invoke the provisions of Child’s Rights Act and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) which protect the identity of minors in defilement cases.
Obliging the DPP’s request, Justice Taiwo ordered members of the public and press out of the courtroom to protect the minor’s identity, leaving only lawyers and court registrars.
For more than one hour, the minor gave her testimony and was cross-examined by the defence.
Princess, actress Iyabo Ojo and other supporters attended the session.
Baba Ijesha has been in the eye of the storm since April 22, 2021, when Lagos Police Command arrested him for allegedly assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the care of Princess.
The Nation reports the embattled actor was charged on six- count charges of sexual assault by penetration, indecent treatment of a child, and sexual assault, which contravene sections 259, 135, and 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, as well as 135, 263, and 262 Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Dada Awosika, SAN; Babatunde Ogala, SAN and other lawyers had represented Baba Ijesha in court at the last sitting.