Rape: Court rejects Baba Ijesha's bail request
A special offenses court in Ikeja on Wednesday denied bail pending appeal by convicted Nollywood actor James "Baba Ijesha" Olarenwaju.
The judge, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, denied the beleaguered actor's bail request because he did not meet the exceptional circumstances and criteria.
The court sentenced the embattled actor to five years in prison on July 14 for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
"The plaintiff must justify particular and exceptional circumstances because the mandate given to him is five years which must run concurrently", declared the judge.
"There is no evidence that the appeal was recorded, and there is no indication in this court that the court will not deal with the case expeditiously.
"In the opinion of this court, the applicant has not demonstrated exceptional circumstances justifying his release on bail because he is facing a serious crime.
"Given this case, I am inclined to deny the petitioners' request for bail pending appeal."
DefenseThe beleaguered actor is seeking bail to appeal the five-year child molestation sentence.
Gabriel Olabiran, the actor's lawyer, on August 10, advised the court of the bail notice pending appeal which was submitted under Article 6(6) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 51 of the Lagos State High Court Act, Administration of Criminal Law.
Mr. Olabiran argued that the application admitted the petitioner's bail, either unconditionally or on reasonable terms.
He said the request went to court because of difficulty in getting a date at the Court of Appeal.
State's Attorney Yusuf Sule, however, in a rebuttal, argued that the defense failed to establish the particular circumstances that could grant bail to the convict.
>Baba Ijesha's rape trial has lasted more than 12 months since his arrest and indictment in June 2021.
Since April 22, Baba Ijesha has been embroiled in a messy rape trial for allegedly sexually assaulting Princess' 14-year-old adopted daughter.
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A special offenses court in Ikeja on Wednesday denied bail pending appeal by convicted Nollywood actor James "Baba Ijesha" Olarenwaju.
The judge, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, denied the beleaguered actor's bail request because he did not meet the exceptional circumstances and criteria.
The court sentenced the embattled actor to five years in prison on July 14 for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
"The plaintiff must justify particular and exceptional circumstances because the mandate given to him is five years which must run concurrently", declared the judge.
"There is no evidence that the appeal was recorded, and there is no indication in this court that the court will not deal with the case expeditiously.
"In the opinion of this court, the applicant has not demonstrated exceptional circumstances justifying his release on bail because he is facing a serious crime.
"Given this case, I am inclined to deny the petitioners' request for bail pending appeal."
DefenseThe beleaguered actor is seeking bail to appeal the five-year child molestation sentence.
Gabriel Olabiran, the actor's lawyer, on August 10, advised the court of the bail notice pending appeal which was submitted under Article 6(6) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 51 of the Lagos State High Court Act, Administration of Criminal Law.
Mr. Olabiran argued that the application admitted the petitioner's bail, either unconditionally or on reasonable terms.
He said the request went to court because of difficulty in getting a date at the Court of Appeal.
State's Attorney Yusuf Sule, however, in a rebuttal, argued that the defense failed to establish the particular circumstances that could grant bail to the convict.
>Baba Ijesha's rape trial has lasted more than 12 months since his arrest and indictment in June 2021.
Since April 22, Baba Ijesha has been embroiled in a messy rape trial for allegedly sexually assaulting Princess' 14-year-old adopted daughter.
Support the integrity and credibility journalism of PREMIUM TIMES Good journalism is very expensive. Yet only good journalism can guarantee the possibility of a good society, an accountable democracy and a transparent government. For free and continued access to the best investigative journalism in the country, we ask that you consider providing modest support to this noble endeavour. By contributing to PREMIUM TIMES, you help sustain relevant journalism and keep it free and accessible to everyone.Donate
[embedded content]TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT: Call Willie - +2348098788999
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