September 21, (THEWILL) – The Lagos state special offences court, Ikeja, on Wednesday, September 21, denied the bail application of embattled actor, James Olanrewaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.
Baba Ijesha had sought bail for the five-year conviction of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
The presiding judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, however, rejected the bail application of the embattled actor, on grounds that he did not meet exceptional criteria to warrant the bail.
Justice Taiwo stated that, “The applicant must show special and exceptional circumstances because the term given to him is five years, which is to run concurrently.
“There is no evidence that the appeal has been entered and there is no indication before this court that the court will not treat the case expeditiously.
“It is in the view of this court that the applicant has failed to show special circumstances to warrant him bail because he is facing a serious crime.
“In view of this case, I am inclined to refuse the bail application of the applicant pending appeal,” she added.
Recall that the court, had on July 14, sentenced Baba Ijesha to five years imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
The court held that the prosecution had successfully proven the charge of sexual assault of a minor and indecent treatment of a minor against the convict.
Baba Ijesha’s counsel, Gabriel Olaniran, had on August 10, informed the court of a notice for bail pending appeal.
He said that the application was brought before the court due to difficulty in getting a date at the court of appeal.
The state prosecutor, Yusuf Sule, however, in a counter affidavits, dated August 18, argued that the defence failed in its address to establish the special circumstances which might grant the convict bail.
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