October 20, (THEWILL) – A prosecution witness, Mrs Olabisi Ajayi-Kayode, on Wednesday stated that the minor is capable of recalling events that happened when she was aged seven years.
Ajayi-Kayode, a legal practitioner and executive director of the Cece Yara Foundation, a non-governmental Organisation, is the third prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, also known as Baba Ijesha for child defilement.
Ajayi-Kayode, who was being cross-examined by defence counsel, Babatunde Ogala, told the Ikeja Special Offences Court that the child’s brain cells were properly developed to totally recall events accurately.
“The brain cells are well developed enough to totally recall events accurately ascending from teenage years to adulthood.
“At seven-years the child has enough speech for a narrative recall of events that transpired,” she said.
Ajayi-Kayode also disclosed that when she conducted a forensic interview on the minor, she offered a “free narrative recall” of events that transpired seven-years ago.
She also disclosed that in the course of the interview, she asked the minor “neutral, open-ended” questions to see if she was being coached or lying.
The witness also stated that she would not claim that the minor was neglected because from her experience, 90 per cent of people who abuse minors are well known to the children.
THEWILL recalls that the embattled actor is facing a six-count charge bordering on indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by penetration.
Actress and comedienne Ms Damilola Adekoya better known as Princess, the foster mother of the minor and Nollywood actress, Ms Iyabo Ojo, were present in court during the proceedings.
About the Author
