The Theatre Arts And Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) has condemned one of its members Olarenwaju Omiyinka, better known as Baba Ijesha, accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
A statement signed by the association’s spokesperson Yemi Amodu on Saturday cast a guilty verdict on the comic actor while expressing sympathy for the family of the alleged victim.
The statement reads: “We find it obligatory to condemn in totality the odious occurrence of pedophilia confessed to by Mr. Olanrewaju James aka Baba Ijesha as confirmed by the police. Our association TAMPAN is crestfallen about this act and will reproach and remonstrate the committer of such exclusive sexual harassment to prepubescent children.
“Considering the sensitivity of the case, which is still under investigation according to Lagos State Commissioner of Police, TAMPAN will never support all acts against what we preach and represent. As an association, we understand the Mores and Social Norm of our people and our behavior will always be homiletic. Therefore, we would not fail to support government in its bid to do justice towards ensuring that such ignoble acts are checked within our society.
“We sympathize with the parents of the victim and also seize this opportunity to charge all parents to give their children or wards freedom to express themselves for a timely arrest of such horrible acts whenever such are committed.
“Finally, we will always stand for actions that are morally standard and continue to be law-abiding.
Announcing Baba Ijesha’s arrest in a statement released on Thursday, Lagos police spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi alleged that the actor had been sexually assaulting the teenager since she was seven.
The statement reads: “The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Olarenwaju James ‘male’ 48, aka Baba Ijesha, popular Nollywood actor for defiling a minor.
“The case of defilement was reported on 19th April, 2021 by one Princess Adekola Adekanya ‘female’ at Sabo Police Station and transferred to the Gender Unit of the State CID, Panti, Yaba Lagos for proper investigation.
“Based on preliminary findings, the suspect started sexually assaulting the victim, 14 years, since she was seven years old. The suspect confessed to the crime and was also captured by a CCTV camera in the house of the complainant.”