Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo, Princess Comedian and some female human rights activists on Thursday took to the streets of Panti, Lagos State in a protest against granting bail to Lanre Omiyinka aka Baba Ijesha.
Baba Ijesha was arrested last week over an alleged case of rape and child molestation involving a 14-year-old girl.
On Wednesday evening, the Nollywood actress had taken to Instagram to state that there were ongoing plans to grant Baba Ijesha bail.
However, she vowed to rearrest the suspect if granted bail and ensure that the case is taken to the international level if the Nigerian government does not want to intervene.
Meanwhile, on Thursday morning, a source disclosed to PUNCH that a senior officer of the Lagos State Police Command has issued a directive to release Baba Ijesha from its custody on Friday, April 30th. This also generated widespread reactions among Nigerians.
In the video shared on Instagram, Iyabo Ojo and Princess were seen within the Panti police station’s premises. Iyabo Ojo can be heard saying that the suspect is not going anywhere and justice must prevail.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, has said popular Yoruba actor Olarenwaju Omiyinka aka Baba Ijesha is currently in custody for alleged sexual assault and not rape as it is currently being bandied.
The CP said this at a press briefing which was held at the Lagos Police Command on Thursday.
The Lagos State Police spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had said preliminary findings revealed that the suspect allegedly began sexually assaulting the victim, 14, since she was seven years of age.
More details about the case, however, emerged on Tuesday night when Nigerian comedian, Damilola Adekoya aka Princess, revealed she was the guardian of the 14-year-old girl who was allegedly raped by her colleague.
Princess later clarified that her colleague only raped the minor twice “and not for seven years as the police claimed.”
Speaking at the briefing, the Commissioner of Police said, ‘‘You don’t do trial on pages of the newspaper. Baba Ijesha was alleged to have raped a girl seven years ago, as at that time, no complaint was made and nothing was done. Last week, a video went viral where he was arrested for sexual assault. He touched the girl in indecent places and he admitted.
‘‘The case of defilement being added to it is still under investigation and we need a scientific investigation. Sexual assault is a bailable offence, it is not like rape. Everyone involved, including Baba Ijesha, was taken out and we listened to them.
“We have compiled the case and sent it to the Directorate of Public Prosecution), Ministry of Justice for advice.
‘‘For now, Baba Ijesha is still in our custody. The case is bailable but we have not considered him for bail. We are waiting for DPP’s advice.
‘‘The case of defilement happened seven years ago which we cannot confirm. Baba Ijesha was arrested for sexual assault (touching the girl without her consent) and not rape, which he confessed to and apologised.”