Update On Rape Saga: Embattled Actor, Baba Ijesha Appeals Conviction
Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has appealed his conviction.
The embattled Yoruba movie star asked the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, to set aside his conviction by a Lagos State High Court over the sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo (retd.) of the Ikeja Special Offences Court had on July 14, 2022, convicted and sentenced the actor to 16 years imprisonment for indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault and attempted sexual assault.
But dissatisfied with the judgment, Baba Ijesha approached the appeal court to challenge his jail term.
Baba Ijesha through his counsel Kayode Olabiran on Tuesday, told the appeal court that his client was set up and that he acted according to a script that he was invited to act on by his colleague, popular Nigerian comedienne, Damilola Adekoya, alias Princess who is the foster mother of the minor that was defiled.
“The Appellant was set up. The Appellant is an actor. He acted in a script that he was invited to act by his colleague (PW1), Damilola Adekoya,”
He urged the court to affirm the judgment of the lower court.The 49-year-old actor has been embroiled in a messy alleged rape controversy with Princess’ foster daughter. Baba Ijesha was arrested on April 22, 2021. He was later released on May 17, 2021, on health grounds.
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A year later, Baba Ijesha was charged on six counts of sexual assault by penetration, indecent treatment of a child, and sexual assault, which contravene sections 259, 135, and 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, as well as 135, 263, and 262 Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.