Baba Ijesha disowns Ogunlana as legal counsel

• Baba Ijesha granted bail by a magistrate

• Actor was accused of molesting a 14-year-old-girl

• Baba Ijesha denies Ogunlana as his lawyer

Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James popularly known as Baba Ijesha, who is currently in police custody following his arrest for molesting a child has denied engaging the former Chairman of Ikeja Branch of Nigerian Bar Association, Adeshina Ogunlana, as his lawyer.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria reports, the actor through his lawyer, Kayode Olabisan, issued a disclaimer to that effect.

“I wish to state categorically and emphatically that I have never briefed the lawyer nor instructed him to act on my behalf in any way, or manner howsoever and whatsoever.

“He (Ogunlana) is not my lawyer, and whatever you heard or hear from him concerning my lawyers, the police or court case, does not represent the true position.

“He has been acting without my knowledge or consent,” he said.

Baba Ijesha was arrested by the police for allegedly raping and molesting a 14-year-old girl in the care of Comedienne, Princess.

However, the actor, Baba Ijesha was granted bail by a magistrate.

In the disclaimer, it was stated that the police never requested money for bail, which was granted him by a magistrate on health grounds.

“This is aside the N500,000 refundable bail bond which formed part of my bail conditions ordered by the court.

“The bail bond is payable to the court registry’s account and not police account,” the disclaimer read.

In a publication cited on The Punch, Olabiran was of the view that the actor was granted bail on May 17, by a team from Lagos State Judiciary, Nigerian Bar Association and the state Ministry of Justice.

The lawyer noted that though the actor had fulfilled all the bail conditions, he had yet to be formally released by the judiciary.

“He is not out of police custody, we are hoping that the judiciary, the team from the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution will come again to Panti next week.

“It is one thing to be granted bail and another for your release to be ordered upon meeting all the conditions.

Ogunlana in an interview with The Punch stated on Saturday said that he merely volunteered to ‘represent’ the actor after sighting his pitiful state in Panti.