Crime & Court
Alleged Sexual Assault: Court admits video evidence against Nollywood actor, Baba Ijesha
The 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).
Crime & Court
EFCC Secures Public Summons Against Yahaya Bello in ₦110bn Case
Justice Maryanne Anenih of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has issued a public summons for former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to appear in court to respond to a fresh 16-count indictment.
The summons requires Bello to attend court on October 24 for his arraignment, alongside co-defendants Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu.
The public summons was ordered following an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In her ruling, Justice Anenih directed the EFCC to publish the summons in a widely circulated newspaper to ensure proper notification.
Also, the court instructed the EFCC to post copies of the public summons at Bello’s last known address and in conspicuous locations within the court premises.
The EFCC has reported difficulties in serving the charges, which were filed on September 24, alleging that Bello and the two co-defendants committed a criminal breach of trust involving a staggering ₦110.4 billion.
Crime & Court
Police Officer Stabs Civilian to Death Over ‘Uncleared Transaction’
A Police Inspector, Mohammed Bulama, attached to the Police Mobile Force (PMF) 41 in Yobe State, has been arrested for allegedly killing a 39-year-old civilian, Abdulmalik Dauda, during a confrontation in Damaturu, the state capital.
The incident, which occurred on September 29, 2024, was sparked by a heated argument between Bulama and Dauda over “uncleared transactions” in the Zango area of Damaturu. The argument escalated, leading Bulama to fatally stab Dauda in the chest.
In a statement, the Yobe State Police spokesperson, Dungus Abdulkarim, confirmed Bulama’s arrest and announced that an investigation into the homicide case had been launched.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Garba Ahmed, has ordered an immediate and thorough investigation into the incident involving Inspector Mohammed Bulama,” Abdulkarim said.
He further disclosed that the officer has been placed in custody, pending internal disciplinary action and prosecution.
CP Ahmed condemned the actions of the officer, extending his condolences to the family of the victim.
He also assured the public that justice would be served swiftly in accordance with the law.
Crime & Court
Police Summon Officers Over Alleged N1m Corps Members’ Extortion
The Lagos State Police Command has summoned three officers accused of extorting N1 million from members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in the Surulere area of Lagos.
Footage of the incident, which went viral on social media late Friday, shows the officers confronting the corps members, reportedly over the absence of a physical copy of a driver’s license. The video was shared by social media user Oluyemi Fasipe, who claimed that the officers threatened the corps members with firearms and forcibly took them to the Kafaru Oluwole Tinubu House, the Area C Command of the Lagos State Police, where they allegedly extorted the sum of N1 million.
“Dear @BenHundeyin, Your officers today in Surulere extorted 1 million naira from three corps members,” Fasipe wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “They were threatened with firearms, kidnapped, and taken to the KAFARU OLUWOLE TINUBU HOUSE AREA C POLICE COMMAND of the @LagosPoliceNG where they were robbed.”
Fasipe added that the entire incident stemmed from the corps members’ inability to present a physical copy of a driver’s license, a situation he described as “evil.”
In one of the videos, the officers are seen inspecting the vehicle’s documents, with the situation escalating as additional officers arrived. One officer can be seen entering the car and demanding that the corps members stop recording the incident, while also prohibiting them from contacting their families.
In response, the spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the officers involved have been summoned, and an investigation is underway.
“The men have been summoned, and their trial has commenced,” Hundeyin wrote on X. “We urge the complainants to visit the Complaint Response Unit at the State Headquarters to testify at the ongoing trial.”
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