Defilement: Police say no plans to release Baba Ijesha

The police command in Lagos State has reacted to rumours of plans to release Nollywood actor, Baba Ijesha, who was arrested for alleged defilement, saying it is far from the truth.

Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo and comedian Princess, among others, had stormed the SCID Panti on Thursday to protest alleged plans to release Baba Ijesha by the police.   The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Lagos, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, told journalists that there were no plans to release the suspect.

He added that the Commissioner Police in Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, had ordered the detention of the suspect pending the receipt of legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPPs).   “The CP had already said that the suspect would remain in police custody and would not be released.

“His case file has been sent to the DPP for advice. After the DPP’s advice, we will know what to do,” he said.

The 48-year-old Baba Ijesha was arrested on April 22 for allegedly defiling a minor.   Adejobi had said in a statement that preliminary findings revealed that the suspect started assaulting the victim sexually since she was seven.

There was an uproar following a report that a directive had been given for the release of the Nollywood acto from custody.

The report was that the suspect could be released as he could not be detained indefinitely due to the ongoing strike by members of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

A video of the suspect confessing to the crime and begging for forgiveness had gone viral following the rumour that investigation revealed that Baba Ijesha did not defile the victim.