Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James alias Baba Ijesha, yesterday closed his defence before an Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court.
The Nollywood actor is facing a six count charge of child defilement brought against him before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo.
During resumed proceedings yesterday, defence counsel, Dada Awosika (SAN), notified the court that a fourth witness would be the last to testify for their side.
Olukayode Ogunbanjo alias Pastor Jerosi, while being led in evidence by co-defence counsel, Kayode Olabiran, told the court that he had worked with Baba Ijesha for more than 15 years in the entertainment industry.
Mr Ogunbanjo, an actor and a comedian, added that Baba Ijesha was his friend and that he got in contact with Princess during one of the shows, ‘Orisun’, which he anchored.
He said: “We were like five that used to do the show together. On that date, while the show was going on, Princess called on the hot line that she wanted to join our programme.
There was a day she called Baba Ijesha that he should come over to her place in Iwaya. I drove the car to her house in Iwaya.”
Ogunbanjo told the court that when they got there, Ijesha prostrated to Princess’ mother and the woman said ‘take good care of my daughter’
Ijesha at that point revealed to me that he was dating Princess but she was taking the relationship too far,” the witness said.
Under cross-examination by the Lagos State prose cuting counsel, Yusuf Sule, the witness said he did not have any knowledge of what transpired inside Princess’ house.
“On April 19, 2021, I will be correct to say that you were not at No. 13 Wellbow Street Iwaya. As a result, you do not know what transpired inside Princess’ house,” said Sule.
To this, Ogunbanjo said: “On April 19, 2021, I did not know what transpired inside the house as I was in Aguda in Surulere.
All I know is what I have said. I was not inside the house. I do not have any knowledge of what happened in the house.”
Baba Ijesha is facing allegations of indecent treatment of Princess’ 14-year-old foster child (names withheld) allegedly committed on April 19, 2021.
He was charged before the court for offences bordering on sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by penetration.
He has pleaded not guilty to the six-count charge.
Upon the close of the defence’ evidence, Justice Taiwo ordered both counsel to prepare and exchange their final written addresses.
Further hearing has been fixed for June 6 for the adoption of final written addresses.
