June 24, (THEWILL) – Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, better known as Baba Ijesha, on Thursday pleaded not guilty to charges of child molestation before an Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos.
The actor pleaded not guilty to a six-count charge which borders on indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by penetration.
THEWILL reports that the offences contravene Sections 135, 259, 262, 263 and 262 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Following the plea, the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Olayinka Adeyemi, demanded that the Defendant should be kept by the court.
In a bail application supported by a 29-paragraph affidavit, Lead Defence Counsel, Mr. Dada Awosika (SAN), prayed the court to grant the Defendant bail in liberal terms.
He said: “I will wish to note that the issue of bail, especially on an offence of this nature, is a constitutional right.
“This is a right the Defendant has been deprived of for the past 48 days when he was unlawfully held by the police.
“We are also not unconscious of the JUSUN strike which made it difficult to bring him to court.”
The lawyer asked the court to grant the Defendant bail, saying that it was guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.
“Imagine if this man is kept in detention for many years and is found innocent, will there be any restitution? No.BJustice and fairness should be done,” he added.
Reacting, Adeyemi stated that the Defendant should be denied bail.
According to the Prosecutor, the Defendant is a flight risk and can influence witnesses, if granted bail.
She said: “I want to bring to my Lord’s attention the nature of one of the offences – sexual assault by penetration – which carries life imprisonment.
“Bail is a discretionary right, it is not a constitutional right.
“On the nature of the offence and the strength of the evidence, there is a prima facie case before your Lordship.
“The court should take judicial notice of the crime which is rampant in society.”
Adeyemi said that Prosecution had six witnesses in the case.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo stood-down proceedings to give ruling on the bail application.
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