According to reports by PUNCH Metro, a senior officer at the Lagos state police command disclosed that Nollywood actor, Olarenwaju James Omiyinka aka Baba Ijesha, may be released on Friday, April 30, due to the ongoing strike of members of the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN).

He said since courts are not seating at the moment, and the actor cannot be detained indefinitely.

The source, however, said investigation into the recent allegation against the actor revealed that he did not defile the victim, adding that when she was questioned, the victim confirmed the same.

The senior police officer stated, “There was no case of defilement, people are just talking out of sentiment. They are not talking from the point of law. We interviewed all parties involved in the case for three hours today (Wednesday).

“The mother complained that her child was at the age of seven when she was defiled and the child pointed at Baba Ijesha. But the case was not reported until she was 14 years and under the law, the case has become statute-barred.

“Regarding this new case, the CCTV footage has been assessed and nowhere was it captured that Baba Ijesha defiled her. The footage only showed him touching the victim’s body but it never showed him having any sexual intercourse with the girl. The girl also confirmed the same thing.”

“So, in law, it is a case of indecent assault and not sexual harassment, and it is open to bail. So, can we continue to keep him when the offence is subject to bail and when there is no court sitting? That is against his fundamental human rights and the police do not work on sentiments. Directives have been given out for his release on bail.”

The source added despite granting the Yoruba actor bail, investigation would continue, and the command had also sought legal opinion from the state Ministry of Justice.

“Investigation is still ongoing and we have instructed them to conduct a medical examination on the victim at a government recognised medical facility. We are not specialists in the field and we have also sought legal opinion from the Ministry of Justice.”

-The Punch