Again, the trial of the embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, also known as Baba Ijesha, at the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has been adjourned until September 27.
The judge, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, had adjourned the matter to August 11 and 12 for a continuation of trial in June.
The Court registrar, Ibrahim Hassan, told PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday that the judges have gone on a ‘retreat’ to precede their long vacation, which is next week.
This newspaper spotted a notice posted on the court’s notice board stating that the judges’ long vacation will begin on August 16 and end on September 17.
One of Baba Ijesha’s lawyers, Kayode Olaniran, also told this reporter that “All Lagos judges have gone on retreat. They will also go on a vacation and we will see in September.”
This newspaper noticed that both parties involved in the matter, Baba Ijesha and Princess, as well as their respective counsels, were not in court.
Undeterred
Since April 22, when the Lagos State Police Command arrested him for allegedly sexually assaulting a 14-year-old foster daughter of a popular comedian, Princess, Baba Ijesha has constantly made headlines.
While his trial lingers, Baba Ijesha appears to have forged ahead as he is currently partaking in a movie that is being shot in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
This newspaper reported that the actor was promoting two new songs titled; ‘Eleda mi’ and ‘very soon”. He revealed this during an interview on Oodua 90.9 FM, Ile – Ife, Osun State, on Monday.
He, however, did not speak about his ongoing trial in the interview, which lasted 30 minutes.
During the interview, he revealed that he had a son, an undergraduate law student in a Nigerian university.
Last sitting
At the last court sitting, during cross-examination on the mother of the minor, comedienne cum actress, Damilola Adekoya aka Princess who appeared as a witness, said that she did not set up her foster daughter to be allegedly defiled by her colleague and erstwhile friend, Baba Ijesha.
Also, the DPP had requested the court to invoke the provisions of Child’s Rights Act and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) which protects the identity of minors in defilement cases.
Obliging the DPP’s request, the judge, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, excluded members of the public and journalists to take the account of the victim leaving only lawyers and court registrars, and for more than one hour, the minor gave her testimony and was cross-examined by the defence counsel.
Offence
The actor is facing a six-count charge of sexual assault by penetration, indecent treatment of a child, and sexual assault, which contravene sections 259, 135, and 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, as well as 135, 263, and 262 Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Baba Ijesha had, however, employed the services of two senior advocates of Nigeria – Dada Awosika and Babatunde Ogala, and other lawyers to defend him.