S*xual Assault: Appeal Court Upholds Baba Ijesha’s Five-Year Conviction

The Appeal Court upheld the five-year prison sentence that Nollywood star Olanrewaju James, also known as Baba Ijesha, received for s*xually abusing a fourteen-year-old juvenile.

On Friday, June 28, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, upheld the decision of the Lagos State High Court.

The appellate court found the appellant, Baba Ijesha, guilty on charges 4 and 5 of indecently touching and s*xually assaulting a juvenile. Justice Folashade Ojo presided over the case and issued the lead judgement.

Justice Paul Bassi and Justice Abdullahi Bayero, two other panelists, supported the lead decision.

The Lagos state government arraigned Baba Ijesha on a six-count charge bordering on the indecent treatment of a child, s*xual assault, attempted s*xual assault by penetration and s*xual assault by penetration.

In her judgement, the trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo (rtd) of the Ikeja Domestic Violence and S*xual Offences Court, on July 14, 2022, sentenced Baba Ijesha to five years imprisonment over the s*xual assault of a minor.

The court found Baba Ijesha guilty of indecent treatment of a child and s*xual assault, of a minor between 2013 and 2014, which is contrary to Section 135 of Lagos State Criminal Law 2015.

Justice Taiwo exonerated him of the offence of s*xual assault by penetration which deals with allegedly s*xually assaulting the minor by penetration with his car key seven years ago and attempted s*xual assault by penetration during another encounter with the minor on April 22, 2021.

The judge held that the prosecution successfully proved counts two and three that he indecently placed the survivor on his lap and rubbed his penis on her body.

Dissatisfied, Baba Ijesha through his counsel Mr. Kayode Olabiran, approached the appeal court praying it to allow the appeal and set aside his conviction and sentence.

The Appellant argued that the prosecution failed to prove that he (Baba Ijesha) s*xually assaulted the victim, contending that the appellant  merely acted a script that he was invited to act.

He argued “The Appellant was set up. The Appellant is an actor. He acted in a script that he was invited to act by his colleague (PW1), Damilola Adekoya.”

Delivering judgment on the appeal yesterday, Justice Folashade Ojo set aside appellant’s conviction on indecent treatment of a child and s*xual assault of a minor which allegedly occurred between 2013 and 2014 describing the testimony of PW1 (Damilola Adekoya) as hearsay.

Justice Ojo, however held that on the event that occurred on April 19, 2021, the evidence of PW1 (Damilola Adekoya) was an eye witness account adding that an eye witness account remains credible and one of the most effective ways to established commission of an offence.

Besides, the court held that the Appellant’s voluntarily confessed to the crime of the event of April 19, 2021, and did not challenge the statement of  (PW1), Damilola Adekoya throughout the proceedings.

Justice Ojo noted that the appellant made extra judicial statement at Sabo Police station Lagos State on 19th of April 2021, and another statement at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti on the 28th of April 2021, which were tendered in evidence.

The court held that in the two statements, the appellant admitted that he indecently touched and indeed molested PW2 while she was alone with him in PW1’s (Damilola Adekoya) apartment.

Justice Ojo held “The law is certain that there is no other evidence other than admission in commission of an offence. 

“From the totality of the evidence of PW2 it can be safely inferred that  as at the date of the victim’s testimony she was at best 15 years old and a child by virtue of Section 261 of the Child’s Rights Law of Lagos State, 2015. 

“It is significant to note that the appellant did not challenge PW2’s on the evidence she gave. It is in view of all these that I hold that the prosecution established that PW2, the victim of the offence was a child at the time of the alleged offences in 2021. 

“I have carefully looked at the record and unable to agree with the appellant, that he was merely acting a script.The interaction between PW2 and the appellant on the 19th April, 2021was not a theatrical performance of make-believe but a personal encounter between the two of them. 

“Moreover, PW2’s (victim) body language supported by her oral testimony and documentary evidence clearly show that she attempted to distance herself from the appellant. The most inference to draw from from appellant’s action in searching the entire house immediately after PW1 left with her visitors and s*xually assaulting PW2 is that he intended to commit the offence, and did committed the offence.

“It’s  trite that factual findings of the trial court involving the credibility of witnesses are accorded almost respect. Trial courts have the advantage of first-time observation, which allows them to assess witnesses’ demeanour and manner of testifying during the trial. 

“On the event of April 19, 2021, it is my firm belief that the evidence of PW1 does not amount to hearsay, she was an eye witness. My conclusion is that the evidence presented by the prosecution before the trial court on the offence of indecent treatment of a child, and s3xually assault committed by the appellant on the 19th of April 2021 is compelling and sufficient to justify the appellant’s conviction.

“In conclusion, I have no hesitation in affirming the appellant’s conviction for the indecent treatment of a child , and s*xual assault. The appellant indecently touched PW2’s body in a s*xual manner, in violation of Section 135 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. His actions constitute s*xual assault against PW2.

“I am of the view that the respondent discharge the burden proving it’s case beyond reasonable doubt against the appellant on the allegations of April 19, 2021, and I so hold. I have no reason to interfere with the findings of the trial court on the event of April 19, 2021. 

In all, I hold that this appeal succeed in part and it accordingly allowed in part. 

The court ordered as follows “The appellant’s conviction, and sentence to 5 years imprisonment for the offence of indecently touching of a child contrary to Section 135 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011 (count 2 of the charge) is set aside.

“The Appellant conviction of 3 years imprisonment for the offence of s3xual assault of a child contrary to section 261 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011 (count 3 of the charge) is set aside.

“I affirm the conviction and sentence of the appellant to 5 years imprisonment for the offence of indecent treatment of a child contrary to section 135 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2015 (count 4 of the charge)

“The appellant’s conviction and sentence to 3 years imprisonment for s3xual assault contrary to section 263 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011 (count 5 of the information) is also affirmed.

“The sentences for counts 4 and 5 are to run concurrently”.

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