BEVERLY HILLS, May 13, (THEWILL) – The Lagos State Commissioner of police (CP), Hakeem Odumosu, has explained that Nollywood’s Baba Ijesha would not be released from detention until the striking Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) resumed from its nationwide strike.
Odumosu disclosed this on Wednesday as he reacted to a protest by Nollywood actor, Yomi Fabiyi, who demanded the release of the embattled rape accused, suspected paedophile and actor, whose real name is Olarenwaju James.
THEWILL had reported that Baba Ijesha was arrested by the police for allegedly molesting a seven-year-old girl until she turned 14.
JUSUN had on April 6 begun a nationwide strike due to the non-implementation of financial autonomy for the Judiciary.
The industrial action stopped paralysed the courts, preventing them from sitting and making it difficult to arraign the Yoruba actor.
However, some protesters on Wednesday stormed the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID), Panti in Yaba calling for the release on bail of the actor.
According to Odumosu, Baba Ijesha’s continued detention was based on the directive of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the state ministry of justice.
“When they got the SCIID today (Wednesday), they were advised by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the SCIID, and he told them that we have done our work and sought legal advice from the Ministry of Justice and the advice was that we should still keep him in our custody,” he said. “When we concluded our investigation, we forwarded our report to the ministry for legal advice. The ministry advised us through the Office of the Public Defender. The legal advice was that there was a prima facie case established against him and some sections of the law were quoted in the advice. So, the advice was that he should still remain in our custody and to be charged for that.”
He also stated that the ministry might review its stance on the movie star’s detention if the JUSUN strike continued for long.
The CP also disclosed that an arrangement had been made in the state to enable courts to sit three times a week.
He added: “Regarding the JUSUN strike, they agreed to be working for three days and striking for two days. They will go on strike on Monday and Tuesday, while the courts will sit on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
“It was our hope that they would work on Wednesday, but coincidentally, Wednesday and Thursday are public holidays. But if the courts continue to remain shut, the Ministry of Justice may further review the report. But right now, we are relying on the advice of the ministry.”
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