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

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10 months ago

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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.

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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.

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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.

“In conclusion, I have no hesitation in affirming the appellant’s conviction for the indecent treatment of a child, and sexual assault.

“The appellant indecently touched PW2’s body in a sexual manner, in violation of Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. His actions constitute sexual assault against PW2.

“I am of the view that the respondent discharges the burden proving its case beyond reasonable doubt against the appellant on the allegations of April 19, 2021, and I so hold. I have no reason to interfere with the findings of the trial court on the event of April 19, 2021.

“In all, I hold that this appeal succeed in part and it accordingly allowed in part.”

The court ordered as follows, “The appellant’s conviction and sentence to 5 years imprisonment for the offence of indecently touching of a child contrary to Section 135 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011 (count 2 of the charge) is set aside.

“The Appellant conviction of 3 years imprisonment for the offence of sexual assault of a child contrary to section 261 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011 (count 3 of the charge) is set aside.

“I affirm the conviction and sentence of the appellant to 5 years imprisonment for the offence of indecent treatment of a child contrary to section 135 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015 (count 4 of the charge)

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

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Musician, Terry Apala, remanded for naira abuse in Lagos

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10 hours ago

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April 26, 2025

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Musician, Terry Apala

Musician, Terry Apala, remanded for naira abuse in Lagos

Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Friday, April 25, 2025, remanded a musician, Terry Alexander Ejeh, otherwise known as Terry Apala, in a Correctional Centre for alleged mutilation of the naira notes.

Terry Apala was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday, April 25, 2025, on a one-count charge of mutilating the naira notes.

The charge reads: “That you, TERRY ALEXANDER EJEH, on the 5th day of January, 2025, at La Madison Place, Oniru, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst dancing during a social event, tampered with naira notes issued by the Central Bank of Nigeria by marching on the same and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 21(1) of the Central Bank of Nigeria Act, 2007.”

Terry Apala pleaded not guilty to the offence when it was read to him.

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In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, S.I. Suleiman, prayed for a trial date and also urged the court to remand him in a Correctional Centre.

The defence counsel, Felix Nwabuda, informed the court of a bail application dated April 23, 2025 and prayed the court for a short date for the hearing of the application.

“Whilst praying the court for a short date for the hearing of the bail application, I will be craving the indulgence of the court to release the defendant to the defence.

“We undertake to produce him in court. He will not evade hearing. He came in from the United Kingdom on April 23, 2025; and on the invitation of the EFCC, he came on his own.”

The prosecution counsel, however, opposed the application, saying, “the application is alien and unheard of.”

“I urge the court to afford us the opportunity to look at the application and respond properly so that the court can make a well -informed ruling,” he said.

In a short ruling, Justice Aluko refused the application of Terry Apala.

Justice Aluko adjourned till May 5, 2025 and ordered the remand of the defendant in the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the determination of the bail application.

Musician, Terry Apala, remanded for naira abuse in Lagos

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P-Square: Jude Okoye freed after two months detention

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2 days ago

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April 24, 2025

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Jude Okoye

P-Square: Jude Okoye freed after two months detention

Jude Okoye, elder brother and former manager of the iconic P-Square duo, has been released after two months’ detention for an alleged N1.38bn fraud.

Jude, also known as Jude Engees, was granted bail earlier but faced delays in perfecting his bail.

On Wednesday, his younger brother, Paul Okoye, popularly known as Rudeboy, announced his release via an Instagram post and shared a video of Jude’s reunion with his family.

“Jude is finally out after two months + …all their efforts to frustrate his bail have finally collapsed. Welcome home, brother @judeengees. And happy birthday,” Paul wrote.

The announcement comes amid a feud within the Okoye family.

Jude, who once managed the internationally celebrated music duo, is embroiled in dual criminal trials.

The cases stem from allegations of financial impropriety levelled by his younger brother Peter Okoye (Mr P), who testified against him on April 14 in a Federal High Court in Lagos.

According to the prosecution, Jude used a company he allegedly incorporated without his brothers’ knowledge, ‘Northside Music Limited’, to siphon off royalties and control the group’s revenues.

Testifying before Justice Alexander Owoeye, Peter revealed that between 2017 and 2021, a period when the group was disbanded, he had no access to the band’s multiple bank accounts, which were controlled solely by Jude.

He further alleged that Jude and his wife diverted music royalties and withheld key financial records.

The singer said a particularly hurtful moment came when he was denied access to group funds during a house project in Ikoyi.

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“When I asked why financing had stopped, I was told, ‘As you leave P-Square, you leave the money,’” Peter recalled.

However, the EFCC brought a seven-count charge against Jude and Northside Music Limited. This includes laundering a total of N1.38bn, over $1m, and £34,537.59.

The commission alleged that the funds were used to purchase a property worth N850m at Parkview Estate in Ikoyi and were funnelled through a Bureau De Change.

Jude pleaded not guilty and was initially remanded in Ikoyi Correctional Centre.

He was granted bail on March 6, set at N50m with two sureties, and was instructed to surrender both his Nigerian and St. Kitts & Nevis passports.

Also, in a second concurrent case at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, he was accused of converting over $1m and £34,537.59 in digital royalties for personal use between 2016 and 2023.

The case, presided over by Justice Rahman Oshodi, is scheduled to continue on May 16 and 23.

The fallout from the P-Square disbandment in 2017 has long been a source of speculation until August 2024, when Peter formalised his grievances.

Despite a musical reunion in 2021, the reconciliation collapsed shortly after.

Jude’s defence team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Clement Onwuenwunor, downplayed the EFCC case as a family dispute exaggerated into criminal litigation.

“This is more of a misunderstanding between directors than a criminal case,” Onwuenwunor stated in court, and stressed Jude’s full cooperation with investigators.

Meanwhile, Mr P will be cross-examined when the case resumes on June 4.

 

P-Square: Jude Okoye freed after two months detention

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Tuface named technical adviser to Benue governor

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3 days ago

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April 23, 2025

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Tuface named technical adviser to Benue governor

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has appointed music legend Innocent Idibia, better known as Tuface, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.

In a viral video on Wednesday, the governor appreciated TuFace for all the support towards his administration, adding that the singer has the capacity to do more.
Governor Alia said: “On behalf of the Benue State government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advise as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a technical adviser to the Governor on entertainment and community outreach.”

Tuface is regarded as one of the “most influential” and greatest Afrobeats artists of all time following his contributions to Nigerian pop music in the 2000s.

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