Brave Dickson
The Rivers State branch of the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has hailed the court for sentencing Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly called Baba Ijesha to 16 years imprisonment for defiling a minor.
Baba Ijesha was charged with six counts bordering on indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by penetration.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court on Thursday convicted Baba Ijesha, adding that the prosecution proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
Prior to the conviction, the Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecutions, which prosecuted Baba Ijesha had argued that the offences committed by the actor contravened Sections: 135, 137, 261, 202, 262 and 263 of the Lagos State Criminal Law 2015, which stipulate life imprisonment for offenders.
Speaking with our correspondent, the state chairperson of FIDA, Adata Bio-Briggs said, “We feel happy over the sentencing of Baba Ijesha by the court as this will serve as deterrence to others.
“This judgment strengthens the gender-based violence we have been fighting against.
“Offenders need to know that when you touch a child inappropriately who is below 18 years of age, whether there is penetration or not, it is defilement.”
“The Judgment against Baba Ijesha is justice for the victim and all those who hate gender-based violence.”
