Funke Busari, Lagos
The Lagos State Government has finally filed charges against popular Nollywood actor Olarenwaju James, a.k.a Baba Ijesha.
Fourty-eight years old actor will now appear in court to answer for criminal charges of defilement and sexual assaults alledgedly perpetrated against a minor and this is now official.
This is according to Lagos State Government through the State’s Ministry of Justice Attorney General/Commissioner for Justice, Honourable Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN.
Information made available to CASEFILE on Tuesday disclosed that after due consideration of the facts in the case file for the suspect, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions said it has issued legal advice on the 4th of May, 2021, because a prima facie case has been established against the said Olanrewaju James and thereby recommended that the suspect should be charged to court under the following provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015:
(1) Section 135: Indecent Treatment of a child punishable by 7 years imprisonment,
(2) Section 137: Defilement of a Child-punishable by life imprisonment,
(3) Section 261: Sexual Assault by Penetration punishable by life imprisonment.
(4)5ection 262: Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration, punishable by 14 years imprisonment and
(5)5ection 263: Sexual Assault punishable by 3 years imprisonment.
The State also used the opportunity to assured that Mr. Olanrewaju James rights as enshrined in the Constitution would be upheld.
The Ministry of Justice added that the agency would not relent in its efforts in ensuring that whoever sexually abuses any resident of Lagos State is speedily brought to book.
Below is the statement
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE CASE OF COMMISSIONER OF POLICE V OLANREWAJU JAMES (BABA IJESHA)
It would be recalled that the Nigeria Police Force arrested Mr. Olanrewaju James (also referred to as Baba Ijesha) on account of various sexual abuse allegations. On the 30th of April, 2021, the Police forwarded the case file of COP v Olanrewaju James to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advise.
After due consideration of the facts in the case file, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued legal advise on the 4th of May, 2021, which is to the effect that a prima facie case has been disclosed against Mr. Olanrewaju James and recommended he be charged under the following provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015:
(1) Section 135, Indecent Treatment of a child- punishable by 7 years imprisonment,
(2) Section 137- Defilement of a Child-, punishable by life imprisonment,
(3) Section 261- Sexual Assault by Penetration- punishable by life imprisonment,
(4) Section 262- Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration, punishable by 14 years imprisonment and
(5) Section 263, Sexual Assault- punishable by 3 years imprisonment.Whilst the State would ensure that Mr. Olanrewaju James’s rights as enshrined in the Constitution are upheld, the Ministry of Justice would not relent in its efforts in ensuring that whoever sexually abuses any resident of Lagos State is speedily brought to book.
It is instructive to note that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has been consistent in it’s efforts in protecting the vulnerable in our society and since the establishment of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team in 2014, it has till date prosecuted over 800 cases of Sexual and Domestic offenses.
The Attorney-General hereby assures Lagosians and indeed Nigerians that in accordance with the DPP’s advise, charges would be filed accordingly.
Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN
Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner
for Justice
4th May, 2021
