Baba Ijesa faces possible life imprisonment as Lagos Govt set to commence prosecution with 5 charges

Baba Ijesa faces possible life imprisonment as Lagos Govt set to commence prosecution with 5 charges

The Lagos State Government may soon charge Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as ‘Baba Ijesa’, for sexual assault, among other crimes.

The sexual assault charge is punishable by life imprisonment.

The State’s Directorate of Public Prosecutions recommended five charges “after due consideration of the facts in the case file,” Lagos State Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, said in a statement on Tuesday.

In a statement on Tuesday by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, the government said Baba Ijesha has been recommended for prosecution for the following offences:

•Indecent Treatment of a child

•Defilement of a Child

•Sexual Assault by Penetration

•Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration and

•Sexual Assault

Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo stated that “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:

Section 135, Indecent Treatment of a child- punishable by 7 years imprisonment,

Section 137- Defilement of a Child-, punishable by life imprisonment,

Section 261- Sexual Assault by Penetration- punishable by life imprisonment,

Section 262- Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration, punishable by 14 years imprisonment and

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.

This was also confirmed by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor of Lagos State, Gboyega Akosile on his twitter handle @gboyegaakosile;

Lagos State Govt through @LagosMoj has advised the Lagos State @PoliceNG Command to charge Baba Ijesha to Court using (5) sections under the Criminal Law of Lagos State. The punishments range from 3, 7, 14 years and life sentences if found guilty

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