Hakeem Odumosu, the Lagos state commissioner of police (CP), says the offence of Baba Ijesha, the Yoruba actor who admitted to assaulting a 14-year-old girl, remains bailable, unlike rape cases.
A video had earlier surfaced in which the suspect confessed to molesting the minor both when she was seven and 14.
Iyabo Ojo, Nollywood actress, and Comedian Princess, the victim’s foster mother, had protested an alleged plan to release Baba Ijesha as many other prominent figures took to social media to air condemnatory remarks on his action.
Odumosu spoke of the case on Thursday while parading suspects at the police headquarters in Lagos.
The commissioner said Baba Ijesha would remain in custody pending legal advice from the ministry of justice.
Odumosu added that all parties, including the victim and the accused, had been interviewed at the police command on Wednesday.
“You don’t do trial on pages of the newspaper. There are two cases involved in the Baba Ijebu case: he was alleged seven years ago to have defiled a girl and the girl is now 14 years,” the commissioner said.
“At that time, no complaint was made, but last week, a video went viral where he was arrested for sexual assault.
“When a man touches a woman where he is not supposed to, without authority and consent, that is what is called sexual assault. That is exactly what is there. He admitted that he actually assaulted.”
Although Odumosu noted that Baba Ijesha’s offence remains bailable, he was quoted as saying that concerns about possible defilement have been subjected to “thorough investigation”.
“The case of defilement added to it is still under thorough investigation. Sexual assault is a bailable offence, it is not like rape. For three hours yesterday (Wednesday), they were all with me,” the commissioner said.
“I interviewed all of them, including the girl that was allegedly assaulted, the mother of the girl, and Baba Ijesha.
“We have compiled the case and sent it to the DPP, office of the attorney general, and commissioner for justice, Lagos, for legal advice. Based on legal advice, action will be taken. For now, Baba Ijesha is still in our custody.”