MY REJECTED LEGAL ADVICE ON BABA IJESHA’S CASE AND LESSON TO ALL MEN
By Olumide Akindiya, Esq.
On watching the video of Baba Ijesha saga, it was really pertubing and unbelievable so I made consultations with some of his colleagues on his character and particularly his relationship with female colleagues. They were surprised too and having worked with ANTP in the past the issue was now what could I do. I called my Journalist friend and also contacted Yomi Fabiyi on phone. We spoke at length and I offered my legal advice and strategies. Owing to different legal advice from different lawyers and those showing concern, Yomi Fabiyi didn’t listen to my legal advice on Baba Ijesha because I didn’t say what they wanted to hear. When Yomi and I chatted on WhatsApp we talked about it when the case was on, I just gave him excuses seeing learned seniors involved with different trial plan and strategies.
Briefly, I told Yomi Fabiyi on the first day we would not apply for Baba Ijesha’s bail upon his arraignment in Court. This was case State was interested in as I had handled juvenile case before. Lagos State government don’t joke with juvenile cases. That on all the counts of defilement, sexual assault etc. Sexual assault would nail him. However, if prosecution witnesses were well-cross examined & the CCTV camera was not tendered in Court he might be freed of conviction. But if he was eventually convicted, he would have served part of his sentence. We have to appeal to the conscience of the public as I could not tolerate that too as a father. If we could prove by investigation that the girl was 18 years or above would be okay for us. Being under 14 years as claimed, the issue of her consent would favour the prosecution whether directly or impliedly by the girl also playing with Baba Ijesha and flowing with the romance as seen in CCTV available to the public.
That by thorough legal research and sound cross examination when they closed their case then No Case Submission would be filed. However, if Court ruled against us. Defence Witnesses would only say what was relevant to the fact in issue. Claiming Princess was Baba Ijesha ex fiancee, setting Baba Ijesha up, etc were not defence in criminal prosecution.
I sensed Yomi Fabiyi’s feelings of not wanting Baba Ijesha to suffer in detention and tussle with Iyabo Ojo forgetting that bail is a temporary freedom. Really sad but a man must suffer for the consequences of his action. Really sad Baba Ijesha fell into Princess’ needed evidence on sexually assaulting and defiling her girl at 7 years of age with his lack of sexual discipline or lust.
