The Police will continue to detain Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, aka Baba Ijesha, until the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria called off its nationwide strike, Lagos Commissioner of Police has said.
Hakeem Odumosu, the head of Police in Lagos State, explained that when the judiciary workers end their strike and the courts resume sitting, it would be possible for Baba Ijebu to be arraigned.
Odumosu made the declaration in response to a protest against Baba Ijebu’s continued detention on Wednesday’s protest by the Actor’s colleague. The protest was led by Yomi Fabiyi, who along with other protesters, demonstrated at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, Yaba. They demanded Baba Ijebu’s release.
The actor was arrested in April for molesting a 14-year-old girl, and faces a jail term ranging between three and 14 years, if convicted.
This is based on a list of possible charges that could be brought against him, as released by the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Team.
Odumosu said that based on the legal advice, a prima facie case had been established against Omiyinka, adding that the thespian’s continued detention was based on the DPP’s advice.
Baba Ijebu has been seen in viral video, in which he is begging for forgiveness for the act, admitting that what he did was wrong.
In the video, a female voice is heard, persistently asking him questions. Why did you do it? You did it to her when she was seven years. You did it again when she is 14. Why?
The actor is seen seated on a cushion in what appears to be a living room. There are two other men in the room, whose distinct voices can also be heard, contributing to the interrogation.
“When they got the SCIID today (Wednesday), they were advised by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the SCIID, and he told them that we have done our work and sought legal advice from the Ministry of Justice and the advice was that we should still keep him in our custody,” Odumosu said.
“When we concluded our investigation, we forwarded our report to the ministry for legal advice. The ministry advised us through the Office of the Public Defender. The legal advice was that there was a prima facie case established against him and some sections of the law were quoted in the advice. So, the advice was that he should still remain in our custody and to be charged for that.”
He declared that the Ministry of Justice might review its position concerning Omiyinka’s detention if the JUSUN strike lingers on.
“Regarding the JUSUN strike, they agreed to be working for three days and striking for two days. They will go on strike on Monday and Tuesday, while the courts will sit on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
“It was our hope that they would work on Wednesday, but coincidentally, Wednesday and Thursday are public holidays. But if the courts continue to remain shut, the Ministry of Justice may further review the report. But right now, we are relying on the advice of the ministry.”
During the demonstration on Wednesday, the protesters demanded that Omiyinka should be released on bail.
Fabiyi demanded Omiyinka’s release, noting that he did not support the allegations leveled against him. According to hi, what he was clamoring for was respect for the Actor’s fundamental human rights.
