Lagos to prosecute Yomi Fabiyi over movie on Baba Ijesha case

The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) says it will prosecute Yomi Fabiyi, Nollywood actor, for contempt of court over ‘Oko Iyabo’, his controversial film on Baba Ijesha saga.

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

Fabiyi earlier came under criticism after he released ‘Oko Iyabo‘, a movie on the sexual assault case against Baba Ijesha.

The Theater Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners’ Association (TAMPAN) had suspended the filmmaker but he snubbed the guild.

According to NAN, Olayinka Adeyemi, press director of the Lagos DPP, has stated that Fabiyi’s controversial film on the case amounts to contempt of court, considering that the facts of the case are under judicial consideration.

Adeyemi, who spoke on Monday at the special offenses court in Ikeja, Lagos, said Fabiyi’s movie was based on the court proceedings of June 24, 2021.

Adeyemi told the court that, despite warnings during proceedings of June 24 that the matter was sub judice, therefore, prohibited from public discussion, Fabiyi went ahead and made a movie about the facts of the case.

The DPP spokesperson noted that the movie, which was aired after the proceedings of June 24, breached the judge’s directives by revealing sensitive information about the case which is before the court.

“Despite the warnings of this honourable court, an actor called Yomi Fabiyi went ahead and made a movie about the facts of this case. He used real names of the parties and witnesses in this matter in the movie,” he said.

“Our application is to exclude him, his privies, and his agents from proceedings in court. He is not in court at the moment but his representatives may be in court. This is contempt of court and we intend to prosecute him.”

Dada Awosika (SAN), the lead defense counsel, argued that the movie was made before the criminal case began in court.

“The movie is about the controversy between two artistes, Yomi Fabiyi and Iyabo Ojo,” Awosika added.

“I saw the movie on YouTube. The two of them are supporters on different sides. Fabiyi is one supporter and Ojo is another supporter. This movie is about the controversy between both of them and they are not parties to this case.”

Reacting, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, the judge, expressed displeasure about the development and ordered an investigation.

“This case is sub judice and you are not to be making videos and disparaging comments on social media. This needs to be investigated,” Taiwo stated.