Legal Nigeria

Baba Ijesha’s trial stalled over absence of prosecution witnesses

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The trial of Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James aka Baba Ijesha, for alleged sexual assault was stalled on Friday at an Ikeja Sexual Offences Court owing to the absence of two witnesses for the Lagos State Government.

The prosecutor, Yusuf Sule, told the trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, that two Police officers were due to testify.

Sule told the court that one of the two witnesses due to testify had been posted out of the jurisdiction of the court.

He said the other witness, also a police officer, is reluctant to testify.

The defense team led by Kayode Olabiran was surprised over the development, noting that the Director of Public Prosecution, Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi, had informed them the day before.

But the trial judge, Justice Taiwo told the prosecution to “put its house in order.”

Further heading was fixed for November 19 and December 2.

Baba Ijesha is facing a six-count charge bordering on allegations of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by penetration.

He has pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge.

Five witnesses have testified so far since the prosecution opened its case in August.

They include the complainant, Damilola Adekoya popularly called Princess, and her 14-year old foster daughter, who was said to have been molested by the defendant in 2014 and April 2021.