Lagos State Government may soon charge the far-famed comedian, Olanrewaju James, popularly addressed as ‘Baba Ijesa’ by his numerous fans, for alleged sexual assault by penetration, among other crimes.
The sexual assault charge, as learnt, is punishable by life imprisonment.
In a statement on Tuesday, the state Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, revealed that the Directorate of Public Prosecutions recommended five charges ‘after due consideration of the facts in the case file’.
The Nollywood actor was recently caught on tape through the CCTV camera harassing a minor.
In a video that went viral on social media, the actor was also seen confessing to the crime and pleading for forgiveness.
After he was detained, it was reported that the accused was soon going to be released by the police.
The reports sparked outrage on social media, leading to a rebuttal by the police who informed that they were still investigating the matter.
Though, earlier, it was unclear whether Baba Ijesa would be charged for Sexual Assault by Penetration, however, Onigbanjo’s statement on Tuesday seems to have provided ample clarification.
The state Attorney-General, in his Tuesday’s statement hinted that Baba Ijesha would be charged under the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
According to him, one of the charges included Indecent Treatment of a child, which is punishable by seven years imprisonment.
Another is Defilement of a Child, which is punishable by life imprisonment, just as Sexual Assault by Penetration is also punishable by life imprisonment.
Baba Ijesha is also being charged for Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration, punishable by 14 years imprisonment, and Sexual Assault, which is punishable by three years imprisonment.
“Whilst the State would ensure that Mr. Olanrewaju James’s rights as enshrined in the Constitution are upheld, the Ministry of Justice would not relent in its efforts in ensuring that whoever sexually abuses any resident of Lagos State is speedily brought to book,” Onigbanjo said.
He continued, “It is instructive to note that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has been consistent in its efforts in protecting the vulnerable in our society and since the establishment of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team in 2014, it has till date prosecuted over 800 cases of Sexual and Domestic offenses.
“The Attorney-General hereby assures Lagosians and indeed Nigerians that in accordance with the DPP’s advise, charges would be filed accordingly.”
