The Lagos State police command, has maintained that Nollywood actor, Olarewaju Omiyinka alias Baba Ijesha, will remain in custody until the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria(JUSUN), calls off its nationwide strike.

The State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, said this while reacting to the protest clamoring  for the release of the actor on bail at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, Yaba on Wednesday, led by Yomi Fabiyi.

He said the actor’s detention is based on legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions in the State Ministry of Justice.

 

He also said the actor would not be released until the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria called off its nationwide strike and the courts resumed so that he could be arraigned.

Odumosu said, “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.

 

“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.”

 

“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.”

Fabiyi said he was not in support of the allegations leveled against Baba Ijesha, but was clamoring for his fundamental human rights to be respected.

 

He also condemned re-traumatizing the victim in a bid to gather evidence, explaining that such a measure would have negative implications on society.

 

Addressing the protesters, DCP Adegoke Fayoade, in charge of the SCIID, said;

 

“Baba Ijesha’s case, as we are aware, has gone to the DPP. And the DPP has advised us on what to do. What we are waiting for is for the courts to resume; as soon as the courts resume, we will arraign him”.