Entertainment

Appeal Court upholds Nollywood actor Baba Ijesha’s five-year jail term

Published

6 months ago

June 28, 2024

Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, also known as Baba Ijesha

Appeal Court upholds Nollywood actor Baba Ijesha’s five-year jail term

The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal on Thursday upheld a previous ruling by a Lagos State High Court, confirming a five-year prison sentence for Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, also known as Baba Ijesha, for the sexual assault of a minor aged 14.

The Court of Appeal, in a judgment delivered by Justice Folashade Ojo, upheld the conviction of Baba Ijesha on two counts, specifically indecent touching and sexual assault of a 14-year-old minor.

Justices Abdullahi Bayero and Paul Bassi concurred with the lead judgment, aligning themselves with Justice Folashade Ojo’s decision.

Justice Folashade Ojo delivered a judgment setting aside Baba Ijesha’s conviction for indecent treatment and sexual assault, citing that the testimony of the prosecution’s witness (PW1), Damilola Adekoya, was hearsay, and therefore, unreliable.

However, Justice Ojo ruled that the testimony of Adekoya was a credible eyewitness account of the events that occurred on April 19, 2021 and that eyewitness testimony is a reliable and effective way to prove the commission of a crime.

Furthermore, the court noted that the appellant had voluntarily confessed to the crime committed on April 19, 2021, and failed to dispute or challenge Adekoya’s statement throughout the entire proceedings.

Justice Ojo observed that the appellant made two confessional statements, one at the Sabo Police Station in Lagos State on April 19, 2021, and another at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti on April 28, 2021, both of which were admitted as evidence in court.

READ ALSO:

The court found that in both statements, the appellant confessed to indecently touching and molesting the minor (PW2) while she was alone with him in Adekoya’s (PW1) apartment.

Justice Ojo held, “The law is certain that there is no other evidence other than admission in the commission of an offence.

“From the totality of the evidence of PW2 it can be safely inferred that as at the date of the victim’s testimony, she was at best 15 years old and a child by virtue of Section 261 of the Child’s Rights Law of Lagos State, 2015.

The judge added, “I have carefully looked at the record and unable to agree with the appellant, that he was merely acting a script. The interaction between PW2 and the appellant on the 19th of April, 2021 was not a theatrical performance of make-believe but a personal encounter between the two of them.

“Moreover, PW2’s (victim) body language supported by her oral testimony and documentary evidence clearly shows that she attempted to distance herself from the appellant. The most inference to draw from from appellant’s action in searching the entire house immediately after PW1 left with her visitors and sexually assaulting PW2 is that he intended to commit the offence, and did commit the offence.

“It’s trite that factual findings of the trial court involving the credibility of witnesses are accorded almost respect. Trial courts have the advantage of first-time observation, which allows them to assess witnesses’ demeanour and manner of testifying during the trial.

READ ALSO:

The judge concluded that the evidence presented by the prosecution before the trial court on the offence of indecent treatment of a child, and sexual assault committed by Baba Ijesha on April 19, 2021, is compelling and sufficient to justify the appellant’s conviction.

Appeal Court upholds Nollywood actor Baba Ijesha’s five-year jail term

Related Topics:Baba Ijesha Featured Nollywood actor

Up Next

NFVCB warns filmmakers against promoting same-sex, pornography

Don't Miss

NFVCB warns against release of skit, music video without official classification

Entertainment

Mohbad’s brother demands apology from actors for hacking into his account

Published

2 days ago

December 27, 2024

Trends Admin

Adura Aloba and Ileri-Oluwa Aloba (Mohbad)

Mohbad’s brother demands apology from actors for hacking into his account

Younger brother of the late Hip Hop singer ( Ileri-Oluwa Aloba), Adura Aloba, has demanded public apology from actors, Yomi Fabiyi, Damola Ayinde and others, for allegedly having unauthorised access to his social media Tiktok account and using same to disrepute him or face legal action.

Adura said: “The hacking of my personal Tiktok account had led to fraudulent posts, interactions, and messages being attributed to me without my knowledge or consent.

“Yomi Fabiyi posted a petition claiming to have communicated directly with me and there was evidence of this.

“However, the alleged messages were orchestrated by Damola Ayinde, who used my compromised account. Despite the evidence circulating that these malicious actions were the work of Damola Ayinde, Fabiyi has consistently continued to publicly malign me.

READ ALSO:

“He even visited the Lagos State Police Command in Ikeja, but has also refused to withdraw his statements or tender an apology. Instead, he has persisted in tarnishing my name, which I find to be malicious.

“My primary goal is to prove my innocence and expose the malicious actions of those who have tried to tarnish my reputation.

“I also demand that Mr. Yomi Fabiyi ceases his defamatory actions, retract his statements, and issue a public apology for the harm he has caused me.

“I stand firm in my pursuit of justice and fairness, and I appreciate the public’s support as I fight to clear my name.”

Mohbad’s brother demands apology from actors for hacking into his account

Entertainment

MultiChoice announces free access to all DSTV channels for 3 days

Published

2 days ago

December 27, 2024

Trends Admin

MultiChoice announces free access to all DSTV channels for 3 days

All DStv subscribers, regardless of their current package or subscription status, will enjoy free access to every DStv channel for three days, from December 27 to December 29, MultiChoice Nigeria announced on Thursday.

In a statement released by the company, the seasonal promotion was described as a festive gift to subscribers.

“No Subscription, No Problem! Switch on your DStv decoder for a gift like no other this festive season, 72 hours of all content, all channels, all on us!” the statement read.

READ ALSO:

The company noted that this offer is available to all customers, whether their decoders are currently active or not, providing them with a chance to explore premium content across various genres.

“For 72 hours, the only thing standing between you and the best in sports, kids’ programming, movies, and local dramas is your decoder. No payments or calls required,” MultiChoice stated.

Subscribers can enjoy a wide array of entertainment, including sports, movies, and local dramas, during the promotional period.

This initiative is part of MultiChoice’s efforts to make the holiday season memorable for its customers