The Lagos State Police Command on Thursday has revealed the freedom status of the embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha after it was rumoured he could be release on Friday.
The Lagos CP said Baba-Ijesha will remain in its custody till further developments.
There had been outrage by actors and concerned Nigerians over rumoured plans by the police to release the actor accused molesting a minor.
However in a bid to clear the air on the controversy, the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, in an official statement made available to Journalists a few moments ago said Baba Ijesha will remain in custody.
Contrary to reports making the rounds, Odumosu said the actor would remain in custody pending the legal advice from the Ministry of Justice, adding that all parties, including the victim and the accused, were interviewed at the police command on Wednesday.
He said, “You don’t do trial on pages of the newspaper. There are two cases involved in the Baba Ijebu case: he was alleged seven years ago to have defiled a girl and the girl is now 14 years. At that time, no complaint was made, but last week, a video went viral where he was arrested for sexual assault.
“When a man touches a woman where he is not supposed to, without authority and consent, that is what is called sexual assault. That is exactly what is there. He admitted that he actually assaulted.
“The case of defilement added to it is still under thorough investigation. Sexual assault is a bailable offence, it is not like rape. For three hours yesterday (Wednesday), they were all with me, I interviewed all of them, one after the other, including the girl that was allegedly assaulted, the mother of the girl, and Baba Ijesha.
“We have compiled the case and sent it to the DPP, Office of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, for legal advice. Based on legal advice, action would be taken, but for now, Baba Ijesha is still in our custody.”
DAILY GIST reports earlier that Baba Ijesha had pleaded to be allowed to kill himself rather than sending him to prison over the crime he committed seven years ago.
