The Court of Appeal in Lagos has upheld the decision of a Lagos State High Court, sentencing Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, known as Baba Ijesha, to five years in prison for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
Justice Folashade Ojo led the appellate court’s judgment, finding Baba Ijesha guilty of indecently touching and sexually assaulting a minor. The judgment was agreed upon by other panel members, Justice Abdullahi Bayero and Justice Paul Bassi.
Baba Ijesha faced charges from the Lagos State Government, including indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration, and sexual assault by penetration. On July 14, 2022, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court sentenced him to five years in prison for the sexual assault of the minor.
Baba Ijesha, through his lawyer Mr. Kayode Olabiran, appealed the lower court’s decision, arguing that the prosecution did not prove he assaulted the victim. He claimed he was merely acting a script he was invited to perform.
Justice Ojo reviewed the appeal and set aside the conviction for the indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault of a minor from 2013-2014, calling the testimony hearsay. However, she upheld the conviction for the incident on April 19, 2021, stating that the eyewitness account of Damilola Adekoya was credible and crucial in establishing the crime.
The court noted that Baba Ijesha voluntarily confessed to the crime on April 19, 2021, and did not challenge Adekoya’s statement throughout the trial. Evidence included statements made by Baba Ijesha at Sabo Police Station and the State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, which were presented in court.
Justice Ojo explained, “The law is certain that there is no other evidence other than admission in commission of an offence.” She further stated that the victim’s age and status as a child at the time of the offense were clearly established.
She concluded that the interaction between Baba Ijesha and the victim on April 19, 2021, was not an act but a personal encounter, with the victim’s body language and testimony showing she tried to distance herself from him.
The court affirmed the five-year sentence for indecent treatment of a child and the three-year sentence for sexual assault, which are to run concurrently.