The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has recommended that actor, Baba Ijesha, who was arrested on alleged rape case be charged under 5 provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State.
The accused Nollywood actor could face up to two life sentences and other years sentences.
A press statement signed by Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN was released on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 and the case has been forwarded to the DPP for legal advise.
In the statement, Baba Ijesha’s fate was decided considering the number of charges brought up against him.
Defilement of a child carries a life sentence while sexual assault without penetration carries three years.
Recall that a Police’s source had earlier stated that there was no penetration shown in the CCTV video evidence used against the actor, however the investigation is still on.
The statement reads: “It would be recalled that the Nigeria Police Force arrested Mr. Olanrewaju James (also referred to as Baba Ijesha) on account of various sexual abuse allegations.
“On the 30th of April, 2021, the Police forwarded the case file of COP v Olanrewaju James to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advise.
“After due consideration of the facts in the case file, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued legal advise on the 4th of May, 2021, which is to the effect that a prima facie case has been disclosed against Mr. Olanrewaju James and recommended he be charged under the following provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015:
1. Section 135 – Indecent treatment of a child – punishable by 7 years imprisonment
2. Section 137 – Defilement of a child – punishable by life imprisonment
3. Section 261 – Sexual Assault by Penetration – punishable by life imprisonment
4. Section 262 – Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration – punishable by 14 years imprisonment and
5. Section 263 – Sexual assault – punishable by 3 years imprisonment.
“Whilst the State would ensure that Mr. Olanrewaju James’s rights as enshrined in the Constitution are upheld, the Ministry of Justice would not relent in its efforts in ensuring that whoever sexually abuses any resident of Lagos State is speedily brought to book.
“It is instructive to note that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has been consistent in it’s efforts in protecting the vulnerable in our society and since the establishment of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team in 2014, it has till date prosecuted over 800 cases of Sexual and Domestic offenses.
“The Attorney-General hereby assures Lagosians and indeed Nigerians that in accordance with the DPP’s advice, charges would be filed accordingly.”
According to the Ministry for Justice, they would continue to bring sexual offenders to the table and “charges would be filed accordingly”, the DPP revealed.
