Crime & Court
Alleged Sexual Assault: Court admits video evidence against Nollywood actor, Baba Ijesha
Published
5 years agoon
By
Mega IconThe Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has admitted two videotapes as evidence against Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James Omiyinka, better known as ‘Baba Ijesha’.
The video evidence, tendered on Monday by the prosecution through comedian, Adekola Adekanye, (aka Princess), allegedly contained clips of the defendant molesting the victim.
Journalists, lawyers and others not involved in the case were sent out before the video was played in an open court because of the need to protect issues involving the victim- a minor.
It would be recalled that on June 24, Baba Ijesha was arraigned before the court by the Lagos State Government on a six-count charge of attempted sexual assault, sexual assault of a minor and indecent treatment of a child.
But, Baba Ijesha, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
At the resumed hearing of the matter, the prosecution lead by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Olayinka Adeyemi, presented its first witness, Princess, who narrated how the defendant allegedly committed the offences.
The witness explained that she met Baba Ijesha in 2008 at an event and the two of them decided to start making comedy skits together.
She also testified that the defendant wooed her in the process of their work relationship but she rejected his proposal.
Princess added that she got closer to the actor afterward, especially after her marriage crashed around 2013.
The witness further testified that she invested in Baba Ijesha’s education and that the actor visited her at home afterward.
According to Princess, the actor had visited her at her residence on the day he was caught allegedly sexually assaulting her foster daughter.
During the proceedings, the DPP also informed the court that her office would prosecute a Nollywood actor, Yomi Fabiyi, for contempt of court over his airing of a movie about the facts of a case under judicial consideration.
Adeyemi claimed Fabiyi produced a movie titled “Oko Iyabo,” based on the court proceedings of June 24, 2021.
She said that despite warnings during the proceedings of June 24 that the matter was sub judice and, therefore, prohibited from public discussion elsewhere, Fabiyi went ahead and made a movie about the facts of the case.
Responding to the allegations, defence counsel, Dada Awosika (SAN), said that though he was aware of the movie, it was filmed before the criminal case began in court.
After listening to the lawyers, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, who expressed displeasure about the development, ordered for an investigation.
She directed the authorities to investigate the allegations against Fabiyi to enable legal actions to be taken against him if he is found culpable.
Baba Ijesha is yet to put in his defence, however, the case has been adjourned till tomorrow for the cross-examination of the witness by the lead defense counsel, Babatunde Ogala (SAN).
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Crime & Court
Joshua crash: Driver faces fresh charges as court adjourns trial
Published
6 days agoon
April 16, 2026By
Mega IconThe Ogun State Magistrate’s Court sitting in Sagamu has adjourned the trial of the driver involved in the road crash that affected former heavyweight boxing champion, Anthony Joshua, to June 2, 2026.
The court, presided over by Magistrate Olufunilayo Somefun, fixed the new date to allow the prosecution to file fresh charges in the case.
The defendant, Adeniyi Mobolaji, is facing a four-count charge bordering on dangerous and negligent driving resulting in death.
It was gathered that the matter had been adjourned about four times to enable the prosecuting counsel, G. O. Ogunyomi, amend the charges before the court.
Mobolaji was accused of reckless and negligent driving, contrary to Section 6(1) of the relevant law, as well as driving without due care and attention, causing bodily harm, and damage to property under Section 7(1).
He was also alleged to have driven without a valid national driver’s licence, contrary to Section 10(1) of the Federal Highway Act.
Ruling on the prosecution’s application for adjournment, the magistrate granted the request and fixed June 2 for proper hearing. The defence counsel did not oppose the application.
Speaking after the proceedings, counsel to the defendant, Abiodun Olalekan, said the adjournment was necessary to ensure justice for all parties involved.
The 46-year-old defendant was involved in the fatal crash that claimed the lives of Joshua’s personal trainer, Latif Ayodele, and strength and conditioning coach, Sina Ghami, along the Lagos-Ibadan
Expressway on December 29, 2025.
The Lexus SUV conveying the boxer collided with a stationary truck, leaving Joshua and the driver with minor injuries.
Joshua was later discharged from the hospital after being certified clinically stable.
The deaths of Ayodele and Ghami drew widespread reactions within the international boxing community, where both men were regarded as key figures in Joshua’s camp.
Their remains were subsequently repatriated to the United Kingdom, where a funeral prayer was held on January 4, 2026, at the London Central Mosque.
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Crime & Court
NDLEA Ends 15-Year Hunt for Alleged Drug Lord in Lagos
Published
2 months agoon
March 5, 2026By
Mega IconThe National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old alleged drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had reportedly been on the agency’s wanted list and that of British authorities for over 15 years.
Ilomuanya was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what the agency described as a high-level, coordinated operation by officers of its Special Operations Unit.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Media and Advocacy of the agency, Femi Babafemi.
Babafemi said the suspect’s arrest ended a prolonged manhunt linked to his alleged involvement in drug trafficking activities across Nigeria and the United Kingdom.
According to the statement, Ilomuanya was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and convicted for drug trafficking.
He was sentenced to nine years imprisonment but was released after serving two years following a successful appeal.
Babafemi added that the suspect was again arrested in the UK in July 2011 over drug-related offences.
He said, “He was granted administrative bail but jumped jurisdiction and fled to Nigeria.
“Typical of a recidivist, Ilomuanya was in November 2018 arrested in Nigeria by NDLEA operatives following the discovery of two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories in his Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area country home in Imo State and at his No. 3 Barrister Declan Uzoma Close, Lagos residence where officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive production equipment.
“He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos, after which he jumped court bail and has been on the run since then.”
Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s ongoing war against drug trafficking networks.
Marwa said the operation demonstrated the agency’s resolve to track down criminal elements regardless of how long they evade the law.
He said, “This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice.
“Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation.
“We remain committed to our international collaborations to ensure that Nigeria is not used as a sanctuary for global drug lords.”
Marwa also commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism and persistence in tracking down the suspect.
He added that the agency would continue to strengthen intelligence-driven operations and international cooperation to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond Nigeria.
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Crime & Court
Court Acquits Suspended DCP Kyari, Faults NDLEA Over Weak Evidence
Published
2 months agoon
March 5, 2026By
Mega IconThe Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday discharged and acquitted a suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, of a 23-count charge bordering on alleged non-declaration of assets filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
Delivering judgment, Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to present sufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations against the defendants.
Kyari was arraigned alongside his two brothers, who were accused of swearing to false affidavits in an alleged attempt to conceal the origin of certain properties.
However, the court ruled that the anti-drug agency failed to establish that the properties allegedly not declared by Kyari were actually owned by him.
Justice Omotosho explained that ownership of landed property could be established through traditional history, title documents, acts of possession, or possession by connection.
According to the judge, the prosecution did not present any of these forms of evidence to prove that the properties located at Fountain Estate in Karsana, said to belong to Ramatu Kyari, were owned by the suspended police officer.
The court also held that the prosecution failed to produce material evidence linking Kyari to properties located on Linda Choko Road in Asokoro, Abuja, as well as properties in Maiduguri, Borno State.
In his defence, Kyari maintained that the properties in Borno State belonged to his late father, who bequeathed them to him and his siblings.
The judge held that the prosecution failed to prove otherwise.
Justice Omotosho also faulted the prosecution for charging Kyari’s brothers with conspiracy, describing the allegation as unsubstantiated.
He described the NDLEA’s case as weak and lacking credible evidence, adding that the defendant had served the country well and should not be subjected to persecution.
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