Metro
Forensic Expert Confirms Baba Ijesha Defiled Minor
A child forensic interview expert has alleged that Baba Ijesha, embattled Nollywood actor, groomed and defiled a minor.
According to NAN, the practitioner, Anike Ajayi-Kayode, addressed the Ikeja special offences court on Tuesday.
Baba Ijesha has been in a legal tussle since he was accused of assaulting a 14-year-old minor.
He is facing a six-count charge bordering on the indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by penetration.
Ajayi-Kayode testified as a third prosecution witness and told the court that she was a certified child forensic interview specialist.
She said she had participated in over 25 child forensic interviews.
Led in evidence by Olayinka Adeyemi, the Lagos state director of public prosecution (DPP), Ajayi-Kayode said that the alleged victim was relaxed, cooperative, and could recall events when she was being interviewed.
“The clinal presentation of child sexual abuse was quite evident. The perpetrator engaged the child in sexual activity when she was seven years old, on two occasions,” she said.
“On the 19th of April 2021, he sexually harassed her, touching her body. He told her: ‘I touched you some years back, you are so grown, so developed. Do you have a boyfriend? We have some unfinished business’.
“These are the clinical presentations of child sexual abuse. These are the dynamics of child sexual abuse and the modus operandi of perpetrators – inculcation of secrecy, intimidation, threat or coercion.”
Ajayi-Kayode noted that child sexual abuse involved only the victim and the perpetrator.
She added that because of his or her vulnerability, a child might not be able to comprehend the magnitude of the offence.
She also said that after the interview, she drafted a forensic interview report.
A copy of the report marked as exhibit G was presented to the court by the prosecution as evidence. The witness also said that the forensic interview was digitally recorded.
Flash drives containing the digital forensic interview of the minor was also tendered in evidence by the prosecution and was marked exhibits H and H1.
“My conclusion is that she narrated the whole truth, she was tenacious, she was bold and relaxed,” the expert said.
At the start of proceedings, the defence had sought an adjournment due to the absence of lead counsel Babatunde Ogala (SAN) and Dada Awosika (SAN).
N.A. Adeyemi, a member of the defence team, said that Ogala, in a letter dated September 27, had asked for an adjournment of proceedings because he would be unavoidably absent.
However, the DPP opposed the request for an adjournment.
Consequently, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, the presiding judge, ordered that the trial should proceed with the third prosecution witness (Ajayi-Kayode) giving evidence.
The judge adjourned the case to October 20 for cross-examination of the witness.
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh Moshood, has paid a courtesy visit to the Assistant Inspector General of Police in-charge of Zone 2 Command comprising Lagos and Ogun States AIG Adegoke M. Fayoade at the Zonal Command Headquarters, Onikan Lagos, according to a statement by the Zonal Public Relations Officer, CSP Ayuba Ummah.
The statement noted that the visit was aimed at seeking support and professional guidance from the AIG.
During the meeting, the Lagos Police Boss shared his security strategies with the AIG as he solicits support and collaboration in the fight against crime and criminality to ensure a safer Lagos.
The AIG in his response commended the newly posted Commissioner of Police and his Management Team for their efforts in upholding the peace, stability and security in Lagos State, stating the positive feedbacks he got from members of the public on how safe and peaceful Lagos is since the CP assumed office.
He also pledges support and collaboration in the fight to bring crime and criminality in Lagos and Ogun States to the barest minimum.
The AIG in his final remarks charged the CP to pay attention to conduct of personnel and ensure they are professional, rule of law compliant and police in line with global best practices in order not to put the Force in bad light.
Metro
WAEC Council Meeting Ends in Monrovia, Elects Fully As New Vice Chair, Honours Three Best Candidates
By Eric Elezuo
The 73rd edition of the Annual Council Meeting of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) has ended in Monrovia, Liberia, with the election of Liberia’s Chief Government Nominee on Council, Honourable Amos Armah Fully, as the new Vice Chairman for a one-year tenure. Fully succeeds Mr. Edward Kpakra of Sierra Leone, whose tenure just ended, according to a statement signed by the Head, Public Affairs, WAEC Headquarters, Ghana, Demianus G. Ojijeogu, and made available to pointblank.ng.
The event, which lasted between Monday 17, to Friday 21, March 2025, was declared open by the President of the Republic of Liberia, His Excellency, Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr., also witnessed the honoring of three Ghanaian best candidates in the last West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) with WAEC International Excellence Award for their outstanding performances for School Candidates, 2024.
The candidates, who received their honours during the formal opening of the meeting, were Master David Nii Commey Ankrah, (1st Prize), Master Henschel Tabi Frempong-Manso, (2nd Prize), and Master
Benedict Ofori Debrah (3rd Prize).
The three candidates were selected from 2,455,063 who sat the examination in The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. The Augustus Bandele Oyediran Award for the Best Candidate in West Africa, 2024 also went to Master David Nii Commey Ankrah.
In his closing remarks, the Chairman of Council, Prof. Thomas B. R. Yormah, appreciated to the Government and people of Liberia for being a wonderful host.
The week-long meeting was attended by delegates from all the member countries of Liberia, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and The Gambia. They included nominees of the governments, representatives of ministries/departments of education, universities, secondary schools, and other interest groups.
The next edition will be hosted by the Government of Ghana in March 2026.
The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu has formally apologised to the Federal High Court, Justice Binta Nyako and Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN over his misconduct at the last proceedings of his trial on the terrorism charges preferred against him by the Federal Government.
The IPOB leader pleaded for forgiveness and promised to be of good conduct throughout the duration of his trial.
Kanu’s apology was contained in a lengthy prepared speech delivered by his lead counsel and former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Kanu Agabi, SSN.
In the emotion-laden speech, Kanu specifically begged Justice Nyako and Awomolo to forgive and forget his outburst and attacks against them in the open court.
Agabi said that Kanu had cause to be angry but ought not to have spoken when anger overwhelmed him.
“In expressing his anger, he attacked the federal high court, he attacked Justice Binta Nyako, he attacked the prosecutor and his own lawyers.
“I hereby apologize to Justice Binta Nyako. She did not deserve the unjust attack. I apologize to Chief Adegboyega Awomolo SAN. He deserves the highest respect. He was castigated without reservations.
“I appeal for forgiveness. Kanu is a good man but all of us cannot be of one mind. He is not perfect but defending the cause of Igbo people who are resilient, fearless and using their God given talents to give good account of themselves.
“We may have misgivings but we must seek forgiveness. In resolving our differences, let us employ peace and not violence to resolve our differences”, he pleaded.
In a brief remark, Awomolo SAN said he was moved by the plea and has forgiven Kanu for all he said against him.
