Court to rule on Baba Ijesha’s bail application Sept 19

The Ikeja special offences court in Lagos has fixed September 19 to rule on the post-conviction bail application filed by Baba Ijesha, the actor convicted for sexual assault.

Baba Ijesha was arraigned on June 24, 2021, on a six-count charge of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration, and sexual assault by penetration.

The court then sentenced him to 16 years in prison after he was convicted of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, and attempted sexual assault.

He was, however, discharged and acquitted of count one and count six, which were: sexual assault by penetration and attempted sexual assault by penetration.

But the actor had appealed the judgement at the Lagos division of the court of appeal through Chukwudi Adiukwu, his lawyer.

The embattled film star also prayed the court to grant him post-conviction bail, pending the determination of his appeal.

During the court proceeding on Wednesday, Adiukwu argued that the actor’s post-conviction bail application was in line with section 6 (6) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

The defence counsel further argued that section 51 of the administration of criminal justice law (ACJL), 2015 empowers the court to admit his client to bail, either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions.

But Omowunmi Bajulaye-Bishi, the prosecution counsel, opposed the actor’s bail application.

Bajulaye-Bishi argued that the counsel to the actor failed to establish the special circumstances as laid down in the administration of criminal justice law.

The prosecution counsel called on the court to deny the bail application and allow the convict to continue his sentence.

After submissions from both parties, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, the judge presiding over the case, adjourned the case till Monday.