James Olarewaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has been denied the post-conviction bail application by the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja on Wednesday.
According to Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, Olarewaju’s application was dismissed because he did not meet the criteria that may warrant the bill. While ruling on the application, the judge held that the applicant must show exceptional circumstances because the term given to him is five years.
She further stated that there is no evidence that the appeal has been entered and there is no indication before this court that the court will not treat the case quickly.
Baba Ijesha is seeking bail for an appeal for the five years conviction of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. His counsel, Gabriel Olabiran, on August 10 informed the court that notice for bail pending appeal has been filed according to Section 6 (6) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 51 of the High Court law of Lagos State, administration of criminal justice law. Olabiran said the application was brought before the court due to difficulty in getting a date at the Court of Appeal.
Yusuf Sule, the state prosecuting counsel, in a counter affidavit dated August 18, contended that the defendant failed in its address to establish the special circumstances which might grant the convict bail.
On July 14, the court had sentenced the actor to five-year imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl a minor and indecent treatment against the convict.
However, Justice Taiwo discharged and acquitted him of counts one and six which were sexual assault by penetration which took place in 2014 and attempted sexual assault by penetration, which took place in 2021.
