Baba Ijesha accused of defiling another girl, policeman tells court

Baba Ijesha

Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James alias Baba Ijesha is facing another allegation of child defilement, a policeman Wahab Kareem told an Ikeja Special Offences Court on Friday.

Mr Kareem, who is attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba in Lagos, testified as the fifth prosecution witness in Baba Ijesha’s trial for defilement of a minor.

Led in evidence by state counsel, Yusuf Sule, the police officer said: “During our investigation, another girl (name withheld) came forward and said the defendant assaulted her when she was 12 years old.

“We interviewed her and the defendant behind the counter, and he vehemently denied the allegation.

“The girl said the incident occurred at Agah area of Ikorodu, and we told a representative of the defendant to follow us to the house, and we met the landlord.

“The landlord showed us an apartment and said: `This is where Baba Ijesha used to stay’. Meanwhile, the defendant had denied living in that area.”

Following the testimony, the statement of Baba Ijesha’s former landlord, Alhaji Jameel, and his statement at the SCID was admitted in evidence.

During proceedings, a video recording of Baba Ijesha at the SCID admitting to sexually assaulting the foster daughter of comedienne Princess was played.

“I harassed her, I touched her hand and I licked her hand,” the defendant said in the clip.

Baba Ijesha is facing a six-count charge bordering on indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by penetration.

The alleged offences contravene Sections 135, 259, 262, 263 and 262 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo adjourned the case until November 12 for continuation of trial.