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.
Members of Nigeria’s entertainment industry turned out in large numbers on Wednesday for the service of songs of late actor Alex Ekubo.
Ekubo died on May 11, 2026, after a battle with kidney cancer.
Colleagues, friends, and dignitaries filled The Monarch Event Centre for the ceremony, dressed strictly in white as requested by the Ekubo family.
Attendees included Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw, Chioma Akpotha, Ebele Okaro, Nancy Isime, Ruth Kadiri, Nkechi Blessing, Stan Nze, Blessing Obasi, Ik Ogbonna, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, singer Chike, and socialite Cubana Chief Priest.
The evening featured worship led by gospel ministers Peterson Okopi and Ebuka Songs, with Pastor Jerry Eze, Nathaniel Bassey, and Kaestrings also ministering.
The Ekubo family had earlier released an obituary on the late actor’s Instagram page, asking the public to keep them in prayer.
Wednesday’s service of songs officially opened Alex Ekubo’s burial rites.
The funeral moves to Arochukwu, Abia State, for a wake-keep on June 17, with burial scheduled for June 18.
Tamunosoye Karibi-George has been crowned Miss World Nigeria 2026 after emerging winner at the pageant’s grand finale held at Balmoral Hall, Federal Palace Hotel, Lagos, on Saturday, June 6, 2026.
The 26-year-old beauty queen, who represented Bayelsa State and hails from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, beat 19 other contestants in the competition themed “Pride, Power and Purpose.”
She succeeds Joy Mojisola Raimi, Miss World Nigeria 2025, and will represent Nigeria at the 73rd Miss World Festival scheduled to hold in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, from August 9 to September 5, 2026.
Miss Karibi-George is the founder of Beyond Labels, an initiative that supports children with special needs and promotes inclusion and equal opportunities.
Joining Karibi-George in the top five were Dionne Chisom Nwagbo of Anambra State, who finished as first runner-up; Shuntell Ezomo of Edo State, who emerged second runner-up; Irene Irene of Abuja; and Gold of Rivers State.
Miss World Nigeria, organized by the Silverbird Group, is one of Nigeria’s leading beauty pageants and selects the country’s representative for the international Miss World competition.
Award-winning artiste – Davido – is scheduled to perform at FIFA’s World Cup 2026 Countdown Concert in Los Angeles, adding another major global platform to his career.
Davido will perform alongside Major Lazer, the music project led by producer Diplo.
FIFA announced the lineup on Instagram, noting that more special guests will be unveiled in the coming days.
The concert is part of FIFA’s first synchronised live entertainment series across the tournament’s three host nations: the United States, Canada and Mexico.
“Featuring Diplo’s Major Lazer and Davido, and more special guests to be announced soon,” FIFA wrote.
The Los Angeles show will open doors at 5:00pm PT, with the live broadcast beginning at 6:00pm PT.
The series is designed to link audiences across the host countries, with simultaneous live performances streamed from Mexico City and Toronto.
FIFA said the event will stream globally across its digital platforms, including an exclusive livestream on TikTok.
Full concert and behind-the-scenes footage will be available on VuMe Live the following day.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins June 11, 2026.
