An Ikeja High Court on Thursday afternoon granted embattled Nollywood artiste, Olanrewaju Omiyinka alias Baba Ijesha bail. Besides, the court released him to his lawyer to go home forthwith pending perfection of his bail.

Omiyinka was arraigned at a Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo.

The actor is facing a five count charge bordering on rape, sexual assault and abuse of a minor. He is being prosecuted by the State Director of Public Prosecutions(DPP), Mrs Olayinka Adeyemi.

When the matter was called, the DPP told the court that the state had filed six counts charges against the defendant urging the court to take the plea of the defendant. The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Subsequently, Mrs Adeyemi asked for a trial date while asking court to remand the defendant in correctional facility pending commencement of trial.

In a counter reaction, the defendant counsel, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Babatunde Ogala informed the court that the defence team had filed a bail application and have served same on the prosecuting team. He urged the court to grant them audience to argue the bail application.

However, the state counsel, Mrs Adeyemi opposed the prayer stating that her team is yet to verify the medical report which the defense rely on for his bail consideration.

In a short ruling, Justice Taiwo granted the request of the defense team and asked parties to argue the bail application.

Justice Taiwo granted the defendant bail in the sum of two million naira and two sureties. The judge ordered that one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant and the other, a lawyer. She further released the defendant to Ogala his lawyer to go home today pending perfection of his bail. However, if he could not perfect the bail within seven days, he is to be brought back into custody.

The court further admonished all parties and their supporters, particularly the Nollywood actors, to refrain from commenting on the case since it is now in court and therefore subjudice.

“This case has become subjudice. Nobody must say anything  or make any comment about this case again , particularly all actors and actresses. “Nobody should discuss it. You must leave the work for the court.  The court is not going to be swayed by your comments but the facts of the case.  The court will frown at such comments and deal decisively with those making the comments”, she warned. 

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