The Court of Appeal in Lagos has deferred its decision on the appeal filed by Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, contesting his conviction for sexual assault on a minor.
Following arguments presented by both parties, the three-man panel of the appellate court, comprising Justices Abdullahi Bayero, Paul Bassi, and chaired by Justice Folasade Ojo, opted to reserve judgment on the matter.
Baba Ijesha’s appeal seeks to overturn the verdict of the lower court, which found him guilty of sexually assaulting a minor and subsequently sentenced him to five years in prison. The original ruling was delivered on July 14, 2022, by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court.
The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecutions for Lagos State, Dr. Babajide Martins, had charged Baba Ijesha with six counts, including indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, and attempted sexual assault by penetration.
Although the lower court convicted him on counts related to indecent treatment and sexual assault, it acquitted him of the charge of sexual assault by penetration.
During the appeal hearing, Baba Ijesha’s counsel, Kayode Olabiran, argued that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. Olabiran contended that the charges were based on a set-up orchestrated during the filming of a movie scene, and emphasized discrepancies in the victim’s age.
In response, the prosecution maintained that the victim’s age was adequately established, and urged the court to uphold the lower court’s judgment.
After considering the arguments presented, the Court of Appeal reserved its judgment for a later date, signaling further deliberation on Baba Ijesha’s appeal.
