Sexual assault: Baba Ijesha’s celeb status won’t help, says lawyer

Famous Actor, Olanrewaju James, aka Baba Ijesha, has been making the round on social media and offline in a couple of week since he was arrested for allegedly molesting a minor while some people expressed worry that the actor’s celebrity status could affect the case and help him walk free.

However, an entertainment and intellectual property lawyer, Femi Njoku, has noted that the actor’s celebrity status would have no bearing on the case.

It was gathered that he reportedly said that, “The case is a very serious one. Bail cannot just be given to anybody. There are certain grounds for bail. If he asks the court for bail based on those grounds, then they can grant it to him. But if the court feels he may escape or try to beat the law, they may decide to hold him down.

“As regards his celebrity status, it is not supposed to affect his case. However, this is Nigeria, and a lot of factors come in to play. Beyond what happens in court, there are many factors that come into play. We are in a country where a particular Senator was seen assaulting a lady, yet he is still a member of the National Assembly. That shows our level of seriousness as a country.”

Reacting to the rumour making the round the on social media about the case been swept under the carpet, Njoku said, “The important question is whether he committed the crime and whether it is proven that he committed the crime. All those other issues as to him (Baba Ijesha) dating her (Princess) are inconsequential. It boils down to the burden of proof that he actually defiled the young lady.”

Recall that Baba Ijesha has been behind the bar for about three weeks and should have been charged to court but for the industrial action by judiciary workers under the aegis of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria.