By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – Embattled Nollywood actor, James Olarenwaju, popularly referred to as Baba Ijesha, who has been in police custody over an allegation accused of raping a minor, may be released on Friday on bail.
The actor was accused of defiling the foster child of popular comedienne, Princess, in her home. Princess alleged that Baba Ijesha, 43, had first committed the crime against the victim when she was 7 years old, with the latest act captured by a CCTV camera she installed on suspicion that her daughter, now 14, was being defiled.
The consideration that the Yoruba film actor should be released on bail on Friday is because he cannot remain in detention indefinitely without trial as the Police cannot arraign him in court due to the ongoing strike action by Judiciary workers.
A report by Punch quoted senior officer in the command as saying that a directive had already been given for the movie star’s release from custody.
It added that the source also explained that after examination of the CCTV footage, there was no evidence that Baba Ijesha actually defiled the minor.
The source added that the actor was only spotted touching the teenager in an inappropriate manner in the footage, not having sex with her as claimed in some quarters.
“The mother complained that her child was at the age of seven when she was defiled and the child pointed at Baba Ijesha. But the case was not reported until she was 14 years and under the law, the case has become statute-barred.
“Regarding this new case, the CCTV footage has been assessed and nowhere was it captured that Baba Ijesha defiled her. The footage only showed him touching the victim’s body but it never showed him having any sexual intercourse with the girl. The girl also confirmed the same thing.”
The source said the matter was that of “indecent sexual harassment” which is subject to bail, adding that investigation into the matter continues.
“A test was recently done on the victim and it was discovered that she had penetration. Is it the penetration of seven years that is still evident now, and who penetrated her then? Is there any medical report linking the man (Omiyinka) to the crime?
“The CCTV footage never showed Baba Ijesha defiling her, but he confessed to touching her body indecently and apologised, and the girl confirmed the same.
“Investigation is still ongoing and we have instructed them to conduct a medical examination on the victim at a government recognised medical facility. We are not specialists in the field and we have also sought legal opinion from the Ministry of Justice.”