Convicted Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha has asked an Ikeja Domestic and Sexual Violence Court to grant him post-conviction bail pending hearing and determination of his appeal before the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo in July sentenced Baba Ijesha to 16 years imprisonment for child defilement.
He was convicted of four out of a six-count charge brought against him by the Lagos State Government.
The jailed actor was convicted for child defilement, indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault and attempted sexual assault by penetration.
The convict is serving a five-year concurrent jail term.
Baba Ijesha was in court on Wednesday again seeking to suspend the imprisonment pending appeal.
During proceedings, Chukwudi Adiukwu, informed the court they have filed an application for bail pending appeal, pursuant to Section 6 (6) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
Adiukwu argued that section 51 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, Lagos State 2015, empowers the court to admit the applicant to bail, either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions.
He said granting their application would serve the course of justice.
Adiukwu highlighted special circumstances under which the court could grant bail and suspended sentences to his client to include the difficulty in getting an early date at the court of appeal might be difficult, considering the number of cases in their docket.
He also stated that when the prison calendar is considered, the applicant would have served his five-year concurrent jail term within three years and six months before the hearing might take place at the appeal court.
He told the court that during the trial, Baba Ijesha was of good conduct and was never absent till judgment day.
He urged the court to consider the special circumstances and grant bail to the convict.
Responding, the state prosecuting counsel, Omowunmi Bajulaiye-Bishi, argued that the applicant failed to establish the special circumstances laid out in Lagos ACJL.
Bajulaiye-Bishi urged the judge to reject the applicant’s request and allow him to serve his full jail term as prescribed by the court.
Justice Taiwo adjourned ruling in the matter till September 19, 2022.
