Ebun Francis| Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, detained by police for alleged sexual assault on a minor was on Monday granted bail by a Lagos Magistrate court.
His lawyer, Adesina Ogunlana, who confirmed the release of the Nollywood actor, said he was granted bail on health grounds.
“He has been granted bail about one hour ago. We are working to perfect the bail. He was granted bail on health grounds. He has not been released. He will be released after his bail conditions have been perfected,” he said.
Among the bail conditions listed by the lawyer for Baba Ijesha’s release are two reliable sureties – one of them must be a level 10 officers, a direct blood relation, and N500,000 bail bond in like sum.
Baba Ijesha was granted bail when magistrates went around police stations across the State, hearing cases of some suspects.
It will be recalled that his lawyer, Ogunlana had in a letter addressed to the Commissioner of Police seeking Baba Ijesha’s bail on Friday, said his client is looking abnormally weak and lean.
The letter read in part, “We are aware that a piece of legal advice on our client’s matter has been issued about two weeks ago, disclosing prospective charges of bailable character.
“From all indications, the investigation has been concluded in his matter and it is inconceivable that the issuance of legal advice will now be a basis for the denial of bail as you have been widely reported in the press to have claimed.
“We submit that the continuous detention of Mr. Olanrewaju James Omiyinka at your SCID Panti Yaba facility, for about thirty days now, in our respectful view, is in gross breach of his fundamental human rights as cognisable under the 1999 constitution the grand norm of the nation’s legal architecture.
“As of today when I met with Omiyinka in the company of his thespian colleague and ready surety, Mr. Yomi Fabiyi, he appeared traumatised, emaciated, and walked with a limp in his right leg. May I assure you, sir, that Mr. Omiyinka is not a flight risk and he is prepared to face trial.”
Baba Ijesha was arrested last month following a complaint by Nigerian comedian-cum-actress Princess in a viral video that he allegedly raped her 14-years old foster child.
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