By Leshi Adebayo
Embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka fondly called Baba Ijesha is set to face a new charge for child defilement.
This follows the testimony of an officer of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), SP Wahab Kareem, on Friday.
Kareem, who was attached to the State CID Yaba, told an Ikeja Special Offences Court that another young lady has emerged, claiming that the actor defiled her when she was 12 years old.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, he testified as the fifth prosecution witness in Baba Ijesha’s trial for the defilement of a minor.
The police officer, led in evidence by the State Counsel, Mr Yusuf Sule said, “During our investigation, another girl (name withheld) came forward and said the defendant assaulted her when she was 12 years old. We interviewed her and the defendant behind the counter, and he vehemently denied the allegation.
“The girl said the incident occurred at Agah area of Ikorodu, and we told a representative of the defendant to follow us to the house, we met the landlord.
“However, the landlord showed us an apartment and said, `This is where Baba Ijesha used to stay’. Meanwhile, the defendant had denied living in that area.”
As a result of the testimony, the statement of James’ former landlord, Alhaji Jameel and his statement at the State CID, were admitted into evidence.
During the hearing, a video recording of Baba Ijesha at the State CID, admitting to sexually assaulting Comedienne, Damilola Adekoya alias Princess’ foster daughter was played.
The defendant said in a part of the clip, “I harassed her, I touched her hand and I licked her hand.”
SP Kareem had previously testified that he was asked to take over the investigation of the case from a team due to complaints from Adekoya (Princess).
“I was asked to take over the matter from Team A because the complainant (Princess) had complained about the closeness between the defendant and members of Team A. After the conclusion of the investigation, I transferred the file to the Directorate of Public Prosecution for legal advice,” he said.
While being questioned by Mr Babatunde Ogala (SAN), Kareem said that he never visited the crime scene, as the other minor who accused the defendant of defilement was brought to the police by Adekoya.
He added that Baba Ijesha was taken to Ikorodu to counter the new defilement charges due to security reasons.
“The defendant was the one who asked his brother to take us to Ikorodu. We did not take him there because of security reasons; his name was all over the news on televisions and radio stations. He could have been hijacked from us; that is why we told him to nominate someone and he nominated his brother to go with us,” Kareem said.
Against this development, the actor will face a 6-count charge centered around indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by penetration.
Meanwhile, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo adjourned the case until November 12, for the continuation of trial.
