Lagos State Government will soon charge Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James Omiyinka, popularly known as ‘Baba Ijesa’, for sexual assault by penetration, among other crimes.

According to government, the sexual assault charge is punishable by life imprisonment.

Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, in a statement said the Directorate of Public Prosecutions recommended five charges “after due consideration of the facts in the case file.
Baba Ijesa was recently caught on tape harassing a minor.
While in a video that went viral on social media, he was also seen confessing to the crime and pleading for forgiveness.
After he was detained, reports emerged that the accused was soon going to be released by the police.
The reports sparked outrage on social media, leading to a rebuttal by the police who said they were still investigating the matter.
Earlier, it was unclear whether Baba Ijesa would be charged for Sexual Assault by Penetration, but the statement by Onigbanjo’s appears to have provided ample clarification.
In his statement, Onigbanjo, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria revealed that Baba Ijesha would be charged under the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
One of the charges includes Indecent Treatment of a child, which is punishable by seven years imprisonment.
Another is Defilement of a Child, which is punishable by life imprisonment, Sexual Assault by Penetration is also punishable by life imprisonment.
Baba Ijesha is also being charged for Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration, punishable by 14 years imprisonment, and Sexual Assault, which is punishable by three years imprisonment.
According to him, whilst the State would ensure that Olanrewaju James’s rights as enshrined in the Constitution are upheld, the Ministry of Justice would not relent in its efforts in ensuring that whoever sexually abuses any resident of Lagos State is speedily brought to book.
He noted that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has been consistent in its efforts in protecting the vulnerable in our society and since the establishment of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team in 2014, it has till date prosecuted over 800 cases of Sexual and Domestic offenses.
The Attorney-General assures Lagosians and indeed Nigerians that in accordance with the DPP’s advise, charges would be filed accordingly.
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE CASE OF COMMISSIONER OF POLICE V OLANREWAJU JAMES (BABA IJESHA) It would be recalled that the Nigeria Police Force arrested Mr. Olanrewaju James (also referred to as Baba Ijesha) on account of various sexual abuse allegations. On the 30th of April, 2021, the Police forwarded the case file of COP v Olanrewaju James to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for legal advise. After due consideration of the facts in the case file, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions issued legal advise on the 4th of May, 2021, which is to the effect that a prima facie case has been disclosed against Mr. Olanrewaju James and recommended he be charged under the following provisions of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015: Section 135, Indecent Treatment of a child- punishable by 7 years imprisonment, Section 137- Defilement of a Child-, punishable by life imprisonment, Section 261- Sexual Assault by Penetration- punishable by life imprisonment, Section 262- Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration, punishable by 14 years imprisonment and Section 263, Sexual Assault- punishable by 3 years imprisonment. Whilst the State would ensure that Mr. Olanrewaju James’s rights as enshrined in the Constitution are upheld, the Ministry of Justice would not relent in its efforts in ensuring that whoever sexually abuses any resident of Lagos State is speedily brought to book. It is instructive to note that the Lagos State Ministry of Justice has been consistent in it’s efforts in protecting the vulnerable in our society and since the establishment of the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team in 2014, it has till date prosecuted over 800 cases of Sexual and Domestic offenses. The Attorney-General hereby assures Lagosians and indeed Nigerians that in accordance with the DPP’s advise, charges would be filed accordingly. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SANHon. Attorney-General and Commissionerfor Justice4th May, 2021