He was convicted of the crime on July 14, 2022, and was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment on four of the six-count charge—indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration, and sexual assault by penetration— preferred against him.

Recall that James was arrested on April 22, 2021, and first appeared before Magistrate P.E. Nwaka of the Yaba Magistrate Court in Yaba, Lagos, on July 16, 2021.

The actor was later arraigned at the Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, who eventually delivered the judgment. While reading her judgment, she said, “I hereby find the defendant guilty of count two to five, and he is discharged of counts one and six. The defendant is here by sentenced to five years imprisonment for count two, three years for count three, five years for count four, and three years for count five.”

The case generated a lot of attention and controversies. It also ‘divided’ the entertainment industry as some celebs supported comedian, Princess Adekoya, whose ward was the one defiled; while some empathised with Baba Ijesha.

Some of the people who were sympathetic to Baba Ijesha’s plight were Yomi Fabiyi, Bukky Black, and Lege Miami. On his part, Fabiyi maintained that the actor was ‘ambushed’ into the crime.

On the other hand, actresses, such as Iyabo Ojo Nkechi Blessing, vehemently supported Princess.

In an interview with our correspondent during the week, Fabiyi said, “First, it is difficult for me to deny knowing him. My non-governmental organisation decided to hear his side, do our own little investigation, and what we found out required us to give him a voice, as it looked like he was ‘ambushed into that misfortune’.

“There were too many questions begging for answers, as could be seen at the end of the trial, hence the appeal.”

Maintaining that he had been in constant communication with the beleaguered actor since he was committed to prison, Fabiyi said, “My first visit started from the second day he was sentenced to prison. I also ensure that I regular communicate with him in prison.”

He added, “I am not in shoes, but I am trying my best to keep his spirits high and get him not to think of suicide or any vendetta. When his father died (on May 13, 2023), it was a difficult moment.

“However, he is still bothered that the age of the girl was not proven with a birth certificate. The absence of some factors before a guilty verdict was passed gives him serious mental agony. He feels he has been unjustly punished.”

Most times during the trial, when Baba Ijesha appeared in court, he usually looked morose and dejected. On a particular day, he was seen clutching a Christian book titled, ‘How to Thrive in Perilous Times: Living Beyond the World System,’ written by Happy Caldwell.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo fixed the date after taking arguments from both the prosecuting and defence counsel.

The bail application is sequel to the jail term that was handed down to Baba Ijesha by Justice Taiwo, who sentenced him to a five-year concurrent jail term.

However, his legal team is in court to appeal the judgment.

When the matter came up on Wednesday, one of the convict’s counsel, Chukwudi Adiukwu, told the court that the team brought to notice for bail pending the appeal pursuant to Section 6 (6) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 51 of the High Court Law of Lagos State, Administration of Criminal Justice Law, admitting the applicant to bail, either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions.

Speaking on the special circumstances, Adiukwu explained that the application was taken before Justice Taiwo, as securing a date at the Court of Appeal might be difficult considering the number of cases before the court.

He stated that with the prison month calendar, the convict would have served his five years concurrent jail term within three years and six months before the hearing might take place at the Appeal Court.

He added that Baba Ijesha was of good conduct before the court during his trial, and was never absent till the judgement.

He, therefore, urged the court to consider the special circumstances to grant bail to the convict.

Reacting to this, the state prosecuting counsel, Omowunmi Bajulaye-Bishi, said the defence counsel in their address failed to establish the special circumstances which may grant Baba Ijesha bail; therefore asking the court not to grant bail to the convict.

Justice Taiwo adjourned to September 19, 2022, for ruling.