The state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu admitted that his alleged offence was bailable since it’s not defilement but sexual assault.
Nollywood actor, Baba Ijesha is in police custody after he was accused of defiling an under-aged girl.
Comedienne Princess came out to state that her foster child was the girl actor Baba Ijesha sexually assaulted.
Taking to Instagram, the entertainer revealed that after the crash of her marriage, some parents allowed their children, six in number, to come and live with her so she wouldn’t be lonely. She said while she was harbouring the six children, she was also rendering help to Baba Ijesha.
Princess alleged it was during one of his visits that he molested one of three girls living with her.
She said the defilement had an adverse effect on the child as she began to decline academically and otherwise.
The state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, while confirming that the actor was still in detention at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) at Panti, Yaba, admitted that his alleged offence was a bailable offence since it’s not defilement but sexual assault.
Odumosu said his release can only happen based on legal advice from the state Director of Public Prosecution (DPP).
He said the case file of the popular actor has already been sent to the office of the Attorney General of Lagos State and DPP for legal advice.
Odumosu further clarified that the police were investigating two different cases against the actor, adding that the case of the defilement came up as a result of the recent sexual assault allegation.
The police commissioner said:
“Baba Ijesha is still in our custody. The case is a bailable offence, but we will not consider him for bail.”
Noting that he personally interrogated all the parties involved in the case last Wednesday for three hours, he said he ascertained that it was a case of defilement which happened seven years ago and a recent case of sexual assault.
He lamented that the first offence of defilement, which happened seven years ago, was not reported to the police, rather, the second reported case was that of sexual assault.
According to Odumosu, “You don’t do trial on the pages of newspapers. There are two cases in Baba Ijesha’s case. One, he was alleged to have defiled a minor seven years ago. The girl is now 14 years old.
“As at that time, no complaint or report was made. Last week, a video went viral where he was arrested for alleged sexual assault. What is meant by indecent assault is when a man touches a woman, where he is not supposed to without her consent.”
He also noted that Baba Ijesha has admitted that he sexually assaulted the girl, adding that “the case of defilement is still under thorough investigation, and we need some scientific work to do.”
Odumosu added that: “Sexual assault is a bailable offence. It is not like rape case. No allegation of rape was made against him.”
