Anger as Baba Ijesha, who molested 7-year-old girl, is set to be released from police custody
Pascal Oparada
Nigerians have expressed anger as the police is set to release child molester, James Olarenwaju, popularly called Baba Ijesha.
Baba Ijesha was arrested last week in the home of Comedienne Damilola Adekoya, also known as Princess Comedian trying to molest the girl, now 14.
According to reports, the police said there is not enough evidence to charge the actor and that the case is status-barred because he first molested the girl when she was seven years old.
The report says the actor was only captured on CCTV touching the girl but no actual sexual intercourse was seen.
Another source said the actor may be charged for indecent assault only and not for defilement.
– R*pe Saga : Moment -Baba Ijesha reportedly begged and confessed.
— Postsubman (@Postsubman) April 29, 2021
The actor was caught on CCTV and had confessed to the crime but, according to reports, the police say they cannot keep him in custody because of lack of sufficient evidence and the ongoing judiciary workers’ strike.
On Wednesday, Princess took to Instagram to berate those asking her to release the CCTV footage of the actor molesting the girl. She described them as sick for wanting to see child porn.
She also narrated how the actor was caught.
Princess, who does not have a biological child of her own, broke down in tears as she labeled those asking to see video evidence of Baba Ijesha assaulting the girl as wicked.
Describing the pain she feels as “too much”, Princess said people’s insensitivity hurts her more.
She was particularly upset at a fellow actress and self-confessed rape survivor Foluke Daramola who endorsed a statement by actor Yomi Fabiyi asking for evidence.
Without mentioning Foluke’s name, Princess asked if there was video evidence when she claimed she was raped years ago.
Baba Ijesha’s arrest was made public in a statement released by Lagos police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
The statement reads: “The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Olarenwaju James ‘male’ 48, aka Baba Ijesha, popular Nollywood actor for defiling a minor.
“The case of defilement was reported on 19th April 2021 by one Princess Adekola Adekanya ‘female’ at Sabo Police Station and transferred to the Gender Unit of the State CID, Panti, Yaba Lagos for proper investigation.
“Based on preliminary findings, the suspect started sexually assaulting the victim, 14 years, since she was seven years old. The suspect confessed to the crime and was also captured by a CCTV camera in the house of the complainant.”
