By Alao Abiodun
These are certainly not the best of times for embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha. He has been in the eye of the storm in the past months since he was arrested by the Lagos Police Command for allegedly assaulting his colleague, Princess’ 14-year-old foster daughter. The actor has since contended with public condemnation and a legal battle for his freedom. In June, Baba Ijesha was granted bail in the sum of N2,000,000 even as his ordeal took a different dimension. During the legal battle, Comedian Princess had tendered CCTV footage of the incident before the court.
His case also birthed a series of controversies in the Yoruba movie industry, sparking rows among actors. Two notable stars — Iyabo Ojo and Yomi Fabiyi — earned everyone’s attention due to the extreme length they had gone to vent on the issue.
Also, social media users had thronged various platforms to condemn Baba Ijesha’s act, urging the system to ensure that justice was served in favour of the victim.
During the week, an Ikeja Special Offenses Court convicted Baba Ijesha, of sexually assaulting the 14- year-old minor involved in the case. His rape trial lasted over 12 months since his arrest and arraignment in June 2021.
The judge, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, in a two-hour judgment convicted Baba Ijesha of indecent treatment of the child, sexual assault, and attempted sexual assault.
Recall that the 48-year-old embattled actor was arraigned on a six-count charge which included sexual assault by penetration, indecent treatment of a child, and sexual assault.
Others are the indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, and attempted sexual assault by penetration. These charges were proffered against him by the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).
During the trial, six prosecution witnesses testified against Baba Ijesha. They were Princess, the 14-year-old minor, Olabisi Ajayi-Kayode, a child expert; Aniekan Makanjuola, a medical doctor; Wahab Kareem, the investigating police officer; and Abigail Omane, a policewoman.
Baba Ijesha was found guilty of four of the six offenses; two charges attracted five years while the remaining two attracted three years. The judge sentenced him to 16 years in prison concurrently.
His 16-year jail term will run concurrently. This means that the movie actor will spend five years behind bars.
The judgment elicited mixed reactions. In some quarters, the court was praised for giving its final verdict on the issue in favour of the minor.
Some others, especially Baba Ijesha’s supporters empathized with the embattled actor and asked him to appeal.
Reacting to the judgment, Comedian Princess dressed in a white flowing religious gown was filmed dancing on a street with a worship background song. She captioned the post on her Instagram as “God is not man.”
Also, actress, Iyabo Ojo, who supported Princess, demanding justice wrote, “We give God all the glory. This victory is for all the girl child and boy child being abused….. Never be AFRAID to Speak up & Speak out.”(sic).
Fabiyi, a supporter of the embattled actor, noted that Baba Ijesha is entitled to an appeal.
In all of these, one must understand that the law is frail. Sometimes, it grants justice to the deserving. Other times, it is the opposite. As individuals, we can only strive to be better people with or without the law. The law can only play its part, especially in a society where values and ethics are fast losing their pristine essence.
