Court Fixes Sept. 19 On Baba Ijesha’s Post-conviction Bail Application

Court Fixes Sept. 19 On Baba Ijesha’s Post-conviction Bail Application

The Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, has fixed September 19, 2022 for ruling on post conviction bail application filed by convicted actor, Olanrewaju James popularly known as baba Ijesha. 

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo,. who presided over the court, fixed the date after taking arguments of both prosecuting and defendant counsel, on whether the convict has met special circumstances for court to grant him bail, pending appeal.

Two months after his conviction, James through his counsel, approached the court for post conviction bail pending the determination of his appeal before the Lagos division of Court of Appeal.

Baba Ijesha was convicted for indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault of a minor between 2013 and 2014 among other offences by the court sometimes in July, 2022.

He was sentenced to a five year imprisonment, which is to run  concurrent.

At the hearing of the application today, one of his legal teams, Mr. Chukwudi Adiukwu, informed the court that Baba Ijesha’s application was brought pursuant to section 6 (6) of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Adiukwu argued that section 51 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL), 2015 empowers the court to admit his client to bail, either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions.

He explained that there are special circumstances, that warrant the court granting the application, this he said will serve justice as getting date at the court of appeal might be difficult, considering the number of at their (Appeal Court) dockets.

He further told that with the prison month calendar, the convict would have served his five years concurrent jail term within three years and six months, before the hearing might take place at the appeal court.

He added that, his client was of good conduct before the court during his trial, and was never absent till the judgement.

The applicant counsel therefore, urged the court to consider the special circumstances, at granting bail to the convict.

Responding, the state counsel, Mrs Omowunmi Bajulaye-Bishi told the court the applicant counsel in their address failed to establish the special circumstances as laid down in ACJL. 

She prayed the court to refuse the application and allow the convict to continue his sentences as prescribed by the court.

After listened to the parties submissions, Justice Taiwo subsequently adjourned to September 19, 2022, for ruling

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