Embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has pleaded with an Ikeja Domestic and Sexual Violence Court to grant him post-conviction bail pending hearing and determination of his appeal before the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal.
Truetells Nigeria recalls Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo had in July sentenced Baba Ijesha to 16 years imprisonment for child molestation.
The convict is serving a five-year concurrent jail term.
The actor was convicted of four out of a six-count charge brought against him by the Lagos State Government.
Baba Ijesha Begs For Mercy
Baba Ijesha who appeared in court on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 asked the court to put off his Imprisonment till his hearing is concluded.
The convict’s counsel, Chukwudi Adiukwu, told the court that they have filed an application for bail pending appeal, pursuant to Section 6 (6) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
He argued that according to section 51 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, Lagos State 2015, empowers the court to admit the applicant to bail, either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions.
He insisted that granting their application would serve the course of justice.
The Genesis
The case began on April 16, 2021, after actress, Damilola Adekoya, aka Princess, claimed that her foster daughter was sexually molested by Baba ijesha.
The charges before the accused had four major counts: Indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration, and sexual assault by penetration.
During the hearing, Baba Ijesha, who was testifying in his own defence told Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo that Princess, is after him because he ended his relationship with her.
