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More Trouble For Nollywood Actor As Forensic Report Expert Submits New Exhibits -By Precious, Aliyu, Saminu, Maryam and Aisha
While presenting the new evidence, actress and comedienne, princess Damilola Adekoya the foster parent of the victim and Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo were present during Tuesday’s proceedings at the court.
The new findings by forensic experts have revealed another set of critical exhibits against the embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James popularly called Baba Ijesha.
On the 28th of September 2021, it was narrated before an Ikeja Special Offences Court, by Anika Ajayi-Kayode, a child forensic interview expert, how Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James popularly known as Baba Ijesha allegedly groomed and defiled an underaged girl (name withheld).
The 48-year-old suspect was earlier arrested by the Lagos State Police Command on a report by one Princess Adekola Adekanya, the foster parent of the victim on the 19th of April 2021.
The case was later transferred to the Gender Unit of the state CID, Panti, Yaba Lagos for proper investigation.
The embattled actor faces a five-count charge under the following provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2015, that: “i.Section 135; indecent treatment of a child, punishable by seven years imprisonment, ii.Section 137; Defilement of a child, punishable by life imprisonment, iii.Section
261; sextual assault by penetration, punishable by life imprisonment, iv.Section 262; attempted
sextual assault by penetration, punishable by 14years imprisonment, and v.Section 263; sextual assult, punishable by three years imprisonment.”
The case which has been lingering for several months came to light last Tuesday as new development concerning
The forensic interview was brought to the notice of the court by the forensic interview specialist.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Ajayi-Kayode is the Executive Director of the CeCe Yara Foundation, a non-governmental organisation founded to prevent child sexual abuse and
provide emergency intervention for children.
Ajayi-Kayode, testifying as the third prosecution witness, told the court that she was a certified child forensic interview specialist and had participated in over 25 child forensic interviews.
She explained to the court that the alleged victim was relaxed, cooperative and could recall events when she was being interviewed.
She said, “The clinal presentation of child abuse was quite evident. The perpetuator engaged the child in a sexual activity when she was seven years old, on two occasions.
“On the 19th of April 2021, he sexually harassed her, touching her body. He told her; I touched you some years back, you are so grown, so developed. Do you have a boyfriend? We have some unfinished business.”
Ajayi-Kayode further explained to the court, the dynamic of sexual abuse.
She also went ahead to draft a forensic interview report. A copy of which was presented to the court by prosecution as evidence. It was marked as ExhibitG.
Other evidence marked as ExhibitH and H1 were presented to the court as digitally recorded copies of the forensic interview.
The expert also added, “My conclusion is that she narrated the whole truth, she was tenacious, she was bold and relaxed.”
While presenting the new evidence, actress and comedienne, princess Damilola Adekoya the foster parent of the victim and Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo were present during Tuesday’s proceedings at the court.
Meanwhile, the presiding judge has adjourned the case till October 20th for cross examination of the witness.
