Convicted sex offender, Olanrewaju Omiyinka James also known as Baba Ijesha is seeking bail pending his appeal.
He has informed the court that he has filed an appeal before the Lagos Division of Court of Appeal.
Baba Ijesha was on July 14 sentenced to 16 years in prison for defiling a minor.
But on Tuesday, Baba Ijesha was in court again to seek suspended imprisonment pending appeal.
His lawyer, Chukwudi Adiukwu argued that Section 51 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, ACJL, Lagos State 2015, empowers the court to admit the applicant to bail, either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions.
He highlighted special circumstances under which the court could grant bail and suspended sentence to his client to include the difficulty in getting an early date at the Court of Appeal might be difficult, considering the number of cases in their docket.
He also stated that when the prison calendar is considered, the applicant would have served his five-year concurrent jail term within three years and six months, before the hearing might take place at the appeal court.
Furthermore, he told the court that during trial, Baba Ijesha was of good conduct and was never absent till judgement day.
The state prosecuting counsel, Omowunmi Bajulaiye-Bishi countered his claim in the ground that the applicant failed to establish the special circumstances laid out in Lagos ACJL.
Bajulaiye-Bishi urged the judge to reject the applicant’s request and allow him to serve his full jail term as prescribed by the court.
Justice Taiwo has adjourned ruling in the matter till September 19, 2022.
