Entertainment
Baba Ijesha Set to Prove that CCTV Footage of Molestation Charges Was Scripted
Babatunde Ogala, the counsel for embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, aka Baba Ijesha, has said the video footage which allegedly captured him molesting a 14-year-old girl was scripted.
Ogala, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, stated this at the Lagos State Special Offences Court on Tuesday during the cross-examination of comedienne, Damilola Adekoya, aka Princess.
Baba Ijesha is facing six counts of rape, sexual assault and abuse of a minor.
During the cross-examination, the defence team, led by Ogala and Dada Awosika, confronted Princess with a report she made at a police station accusing one of her neighbours, Damola Adekola, of sexually harassing her daughter.
Princess then stated that on two occasions, the minor was harassed by the neighbour in December 2020, but she only found out in April 2021, when Baba Ijesha’s case was at the police station.
Responding to questions asked by Ogala, Princess said, “Damola Adekola is my neighbour. I took him as a younger brother because his mom is late.
“He was arrested because he tried to harass the minor in December. He put his hands on her laps and asked her to touch his private parts. This happened around 9.30pm in my flat when I was attending a meeting at Sabo.
“On two occasions, my foster daughter was almost molested by the neighbour, but she screamed.”
She also affirmed that she did not formally report the matter to the police until April 20, 2021.
Awosika then said the defendant did not touch the minor sexually and the CCTV footage was scripted.
He said, “You will observe that when you see the CCTV footage being streamed, the defendant did not at any time move his hand towards any sensitive part of your daughter’s body.”
The counsel also queried why there was no audio in the footage to reveal the instructions Princess allegedly gave to her foster daughter.
Awosika then asked why Princess, who was aware of an earlier allegation of molestation against the defendant, would leave the minor with him, adding that as part of the script, Princess hid under the stairs and monitored the activities of Baba Ijesha and her foster daughter with a smartphone.
In response, Princess said, “The initial plan was for myself, my mum and foster daughter to confront him, but we felt he could become violent if we confronted him, and I decided to set up the CCTV camera that day. I did not believe Baba Ijesha would repeat the action now that she is grown.”
After the cross-examination, journalists and members of the public were ordered out of the court to allow the victim give her testimony.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo subsequently adjourned the case till August 11, 2021.
Nigeria-born Afro-pop star, Joeboy, whose melodies now ripple across continents, takes centre stage this week on the Easter edition of African Voices, the Globacom-sponsored CNN magazine programme.
In a captivating session from Lagos, show anchor Larry Madowo drew out the rhythm of Joeboy’s journey, tracing the arc from a starry-eyed university dreamer to a maestro whose songs now traverse the globe like whispered secrets carried on the wind.
Born Joseph Akinwale Akinfenwa-Donus in 1997, Joeboy—affectionately dubbed Afrobeats’ “lover boy”—embarked on his musical odyssey in 2017 with a viral reinterpretation of Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You.
This pivot from rap to melodious crooning caught the discerning eye of Nigerian artiste and entrepreneur Mr Eazi, who, upon discovering him on Instagram, extended an invitation to join the emPawa Africa Talent Incubation initiative—a sanctuary for budding African talents where raw potential is nurtured into brilliance.
The partnership bore fruit in 2018 with the release of Fààjí, featuring Mr Eazi, and soon after, Joeboy was signed to Warner Music Africa. From there, his ascent became a symphony of milestones: the intoxicating single Baby in 2019, followed by Beginning, which amassed over 23 million views on YouTube, and Love & Light the same year.
Collaborations with Mayorkun yielded the spirited tracks Don’t Call Me and All for You, further cementing his place in the Afrobeats constellation.
Joeboy’s debut album, Somewhere Between Beauty & Magic, unfurled in February 2021, a melodic tapestry of youth, hope, and desire. By 19 May 2023, he unveiled his sophomore studio effort, Body & Soul, preceded by the evocative singles Sip (Alcohol), Contour, Body & Soul, and Duffel Bag. In 2023, he teased the world with Only God Save Me and the extended EP Body, Soul and Spirit, offering listeners a window into the essence of his artistic spirit.
February 2024 marked another milestone as he launched his own imprint, Young Legend, soon releasing Osadebe, a track that resonated nationwide with the familiar warmth of homegrown brilliance.
Joeboy’s dedication has been richly rewarded. He clinched Best Artiste in African Pop at the 2019 All Africa Music Awards and Best Pop at the 2020 Soundcity MVP Awards Festival. His music has earned numerous nominations, including at the City People Entertainment Awards and The Headies, affirming his status as a luminary of contemporary African sound.
The Easter edition of African Voices featuring Joeboy will air on DSTV Channel 401 at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, with repeats at 11 a.m.; Sunday at 3:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.; Monday at 3 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.; and Tuesday at 5:45 p.m. The schedule will be mirrored the following week, culminating in Monday at 3 a.m., giving audiences multiple opportunities to bask in the artistry of a musician whose voice carries the pulse of a continent.
Chuck Norris, the US martial artist and Hollywood action star most famous for his role in “Walker, Texas Ranger,” has died, his family said Friday. He was 86 years old.
“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning,” the family said in a statement on Instagram.
“He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives,” the statement said.
Norris reportedly fell ill on Thursday on the Hawaiian island of Kauai.
Norris turned 86 last week, marking the event with a video of him boxing on social media and saying, “I don’t age. I level up.”
Entertainment
South African Actress, Nomzamo Mbatha, Tells Success Story on Glo-Sponsored African Voices
Delectable South African actress, Nomzamo Mbatha, will this week on Globacom-sponsored Cable News Network International’s African Voices Changemakers, reveal her trajectory from the Rainbow Nation to the global stage of make-belief.
In the 30-minute magazine programme, show anchor, Larry Madowo, will engage Mbatha on her soaring career which earned her a mention in the prestigious TIME100 Next in 2025.
The thespian who has been featured in two Hollywood productions has also gained acclaim in the beauty industry as she has signed endorsement deals with Neutrogena and Cream of Nature, both global brands in skincare and haircare, respectively.
Madowo and Mbatha sat for the exclusive interview on set of the final season of the hit television series, Shaka iLembe at the historic Cradle of Humankind outside Johannesburg where she highlighted the cultural significance of Shaka iLembe, and why giving back to her society is at the center of her aspirations as well as the legacy she desires to build beyond the glitz and glamour of the big screen.
This edition of African Voices Changemakers will be broadcast on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. with additional broadcasts at noon same day. On Sunday, further repeats hold at 4:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and on Monday at 3:00 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. The repeats continue on Tuesday at 5:45 p.m and Saturday, March 14 at 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m and Sunday, March15 at 3:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m as well as Monday, March 16 at 3:00 a.m.
