Joy Onuorah

Sexual assault alleged actor, Baba Ijesha has retracted his plans to file a no-case submission in his trial on alleged sexual assault.

It could be recalled that in 2021, the actor was charged with six counts of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration, and sexual assault by penetration.

He has since been undergoing trial before an Ikeja special offenses court.

According to NAN, Kayode Olabiran, the defense counsel, had in December informed the court that the defendant had no case to answer and intends to file a no-case submission at the next court date.

However, during Tuesday proceedings, A.O Alo, a defense counsel, informed the court that the defense team had made a change of plans after a review of the case with the defendant.

“The defendant after the review has decided to put in his defense and we have decided not to file the no-case submission again,” he said.

“In view of this, we will be humbly praying that the court should give us a short adjournment.”

Oluwatoyin Taiwo, the judge, however, queried the request of the defense counsel for an adjournment, adding that there was sufficient time from the last proceedings on December 15, 2021, to prepare a defense.

She insisted that Baba Ijesha should enter the witness box to commence his defense.

In his reaction, Alo revealed that it was his first time appearing in court for the case despite being from the law firm of Dada Awosika (SAN), one of the lead defense counsel.

“My lord, the learned silk is indisposed. The other lead defense counsel, Mr. Babatunde Ogala, SAN, has also communicated to the court that he will is also indisposed,” he said.

Opposing the request for adjournment, Babajide Martins, director of public prosecution (DPP), described the excuse of the defense counsel as “quite unfortunate”.

Martins said, as the recently appointed DPP, he is also appearing before the court for the first time.

He also said there was no law for conditional representation and once a lawyer appears before a court, it is presumed that he carries out his legal representation duties to the letter.

In her ruling, the judge said she will be giving the two SANs who represent Baba Ijesha the benefit of the doubt.

“This case is adjourned until February 17 and 18 at 1 pm for defense,” she finalized.