Sexual Assault: Nigerians React to the Arrest of Nollywood Actor Baba Ijesha

A Popular Nigerian Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, widely known as Baba Ijesha, was arrested last week over the alleged report that he sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl. The teenager’s foster mother, another popular Nigerian comedienne, Princess, reported that the abuse started when girl was at the age of seven.

A Senior Police Officer in Lagos state said that there was no case of defilement, people are just talking out of sentiment. They are not talking from the point of law. He also said, “The mother complained that her child was at the age of seven when she was defiled and the child pointed at Baba Ijesha. But the case was not reported until she was 14 years and under the law, the case has become statute-barred.

“Regarding this new case, the CCTV footage has been assessed and nowhere was it captured that Baba Ijesha defiled her. The footage only showed him touching the victim’s body but it never showed him having any sexual intercourse with the girl.”

“The girl also confirmed the same thing. So, in law, it is a case of indecent assault and not sexual harassment, and it is open to bail. So, can we continue to keep him when the offence is subject to bail and when there is no court sitting?”

“That is against his fundamental human rights and the police do not work on sentiments. Directives have been given out for his release on bail.”

Nigerians and a quite number of celebrities have come out to voice their exasperation on social media and as well signed a petition against the release of Baba Ijesha.

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