Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, aka Baba Ijesha, has pleaded not guilty to the offence of sexually assaulting a minor.
Baba Ijesha, who wore a white hooded jacket and a mask and was chained to another criminal suspect as he arrived before a Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court sitting in the Ikeja area of Lagos on Thursday.
He was arraigned by the State Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on a six-count of attempted sexual assault, sexual assault of a minor, and indecent treatment of a child.
He however pleaded not guilty to all six counts.
The DPP, Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi subsequently told trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, to remand the defendant in a correctional facility pending the commencement of trial.
The defence team led by two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Babatunde Ogala and Dada Awosika however informed the court that the defence team had filed a bail application and had served same on the prosecution.
Mr Ogala specifically asked the court to grant them an audience to argue the bail application. The DPP, Mrs Adeyemi swiftly opposed the request stating that her team is yet to verify the medical reports which the defense intends to rely on for his bail consideration.
In a short ruling, Justice Taiwo granted the request of the defense team and asked parties to argue the bail application.
– Bail Hearing –
Lead counsel to the defendant, Babatunde Ogala reminded the court that the issue of bail is purely the right of the defendant as a citizen in line with Section 36 (5) of the Constitution. He asked the court to grant the defendant bail on liberal terms.
The DPP countered the arguments by insisting that the granting of bail is purely at the discretion of the court.
She asked the court to consider the nature of the offence and refuse the request for bail.
Justice Taiwo has stood the matter down to consider and write her ruling on the bail application.