Nollywood actor, Baba Ijesha, accused of molesting a minor has been granted bail by the police.
The actor was released on Monday afternoon on health grounds.
His lawyer, Adesina Ogunlana, confirmed the viral report
The police had in April arrested Baba Ijesha for sexually harassing a 14-year-old girl.
Announcing his arrest in a statement, Lagos police spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi alleged that the actor had been sexually assaulting the teenager since she was seven.
The statement reads, “The Lagos State Police Command has arrested one Olarenwaju James ‘male’ 48, aka Baba Ijesha, popular Nollywood actor for defiling a minor.
“The case of defilement was reported on 19th April, 2021 by one Princess Adekola Adekanya ‘female’ at Sabo Police Station and transferred to the Gender Unit of the State CID, Panti, Yaba Lagos for proper investigation.
“Based on preliminary findings, the suspect started sexually assaulting the victim, 14 years, since she was seven years old. The suspect confessed to the crime and was also captured by a CCTV camera in the house of the complainant.”
The Lagos State Government in a statement on May 4 subsequently stated the actor would be charged under the Criminal Law of Lagos State.
One of the charges against him 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 was also being charged for Attempted Sexual Assault by Penetration, punishable by 14 years imprisonment, and sexual assault, which is punishable by three years imprisonment.
His release however came as a result of magistrates going around police stations across Lagos state, listening to cases and giving hearing to those arrested.
His bail conditions include getting N500,000 bail bond, a level 10 officer and one of his family members as sureties.
