The Lagos State Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja has fixed Monday September 19 for ruling on the post-conviction bail application filed by convicted actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha.
The embattled actor is seeking bail for an appeal on the five years conviction of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
The trial judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, fixed the date after listening to the arguments of both prosecuting and defence counsels on whether the convict has met special circumstances for the court to grant him bail, pending appeal.
Baba Ijesha was convicted for indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault of the minor among other offences by the court.
He was, thereafter, sentenced to serve a five-year jail term. Through his counsel, the Yoruba actor later approached the court for post-conviction bail, pending the determination of his appeal at the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal.
At the proceedings on Wednesday, his lawyer, Chukwudi Adiukwu, told the court that the defence team had brought notice 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 (ACJL), 2015 empowers the court to admit his client to bail, either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions.
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 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.
