The Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal confirmed the five-year prison sentence for Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, known as Baba Ijesha, for the sexual assault of a 14-year-old minor.

Justice Folashade Ojo delivered the judgment, maintaining the actor’s conviction on counts of indecent touching and sexual assault of the minor. Justices Abdullahi Bayero and Paul Bassi concurred with Justice Ojo’s ruling.

However, Justice Ojo dismissed the conviction for indecent treatment and sexual assault based on the hearsay nature of the prosecution’s witness (PW1) Damilola Adekoya’s testimony, deeming it unreliable. Nevertheless, Adekoya’s account was accepted as credible eyewitness testimony of the events on April 19, 2021.

The court noted that Baba Ijesha voluntarily confessed to the crime and did not challenge Adekoya’s statement during the proceedings. The actor made confessional statements on April 19, 2021, at Sabo Police Station and on April 28, 2021, at the State Criminal Investigation Department, which were admitted as evidence.

Justice Ojo emphasized the credibility of PW2’s testimony, confirming the minor’s age and dismissing the defense’s argument that the events were a scripted act. The judge highlighted the clear evidence of the victim’s distress and the intentional nature of Baba Ijesha’s actions.

The court concluded that the prosecution’s evidence was compelling and sufficient to uphold Baba Ijesha’s conviction for indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault.

In summary, the court set aside the convictions for indecent treatment and sexual assault under certain sections but affirmed the five-year sentence for the offence of indecent treatment of a child and the three-year sentence for sexual assault, both to run concurrently.

The Lagos State Government had prosecuted Baba Ijesha on multiple charges, including indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault, resulting in the initial five-year sentence handed down by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo (rtd) on July 14, 2022.