BABA IJESA'S SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE; Show of shame for the Yoruba movie industry BY Olabanji Joel.

Please don't comment with emotion but with critical thinking.

The trending story for about a week now is about the sexual assault case involving a Nollywood actor which has gone viral and intense because of the gravity of his offence and several reactions from his fellow actors and actresses.

First, let me start by saying that any form of sexual assault either rape or unruly touching is bad and whatever law as regarding such incident must be used against any perpetrator found guilty of such act. Baba Ijesa in a viral video agreed to have unruly touched a young girl of 14years of age. He was said to have caressed her body and even put her hand in her mouth (according to what the girl's foster mother said that CCTV captured and also what punch news released). The act which was captured on the CCTV was such a disgusting and abominable act which should be condemned vehemently followed by issuing an appropriate punishment for such an act.

It was further said by the mother of the child in  the video that she dropped that Baba Ijesa first sexually assaulted the young girl while she was seven by using his car key on her private part after caressing her body. In a recent interview on Your View TVC program, the woman further made a statement which pointed at Baba Ijesa having a penetrating sex with the lady while she was just seven years of age, she explained how it happened and what the lady felt. WHY WASN'T HE EXPOSED FOR SUCH A DEVILISH ACT? DEFILING A SEVEN YEARS OLD GIRL? WHY WAS HE COVERED UP THEN? WHY IS PRINCESS JUST SAYING THIS NOW? IF HE HAD BEEN EXPOSED BACK THEN, HE WOULD HAVE FACED THE LAW AND THE REOCCURRENCE WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED. (Story for another day).

The rape happened 7years ago but the recent molestation was about unruly touching and caressing of the minor. It could be termed attempted "rape".  We all would agree that he is guilty of sexual assault on the minor.  He should be punished for his crime, which I believe the police department is handling as the case has caught attention of Lagos state commissioner of police and the state Governor. According to the press statement made by the Commissioner of Police Lagos State, it has been established that Baba Ijesa molested the child but rape has not been established, investigation is still ongoing and the case file has been sent to the attorney general of the state for legal advice on what to do next with a plan to prosecute him for sexual molestation once the judiciary workers resumes work. The Commissioner of Police said they will surely investigate and won't base their judgement on media report and justice at this point, is sure and won't be compromised.

Now to the show of shame in the Yoruba movie industry, the present Baba Ijesa issue has revealed the deep hate that exists amongst the theatre practitioners.
I would say, that in any case at all, individuals are entitled to their opinion but if the opinion seems wrong especially amongst professionals, there are ways of calling such a person to have a clearer understanding of the discussed matter.

The opinion of others on this case amongst  our celebrities wasn't respected, people calling for thorough investigation before condemnation were called names and co-actors didn't take a minute of thought before condemning and raising curses on anyone with a separate opinion on this case. Anyways, counter reactions are coming up strongly now as per the way the professionals are handling the matter.

The case of "rape" just like other occurrences always comes with different views and opinions by different individuals and these are part of what makes our existence unique, it means we are not programmed to act but thinking being with several understanding about things. Therefore, "name calling", "shouts" and several other talks to people holding separate views on this case is totally unacceptable.
Just like a friend told me, it is a wack approach to solving the issue at hand. Anyways, what I see is a long existing hatred in the movie industry and it has been the reason many veteran actors and actresses don't get help when faced with challenges, it could also be said to be the reason for the preventable death of many of these celebrities, meanwhile they act like they love one another but deep down, they know the kind of evil they harbour against themselves.

When anything, no matter how good it may look is done in excess, it becomes wrong and that is extremism of any sort at any given time. it is wrong and with this, I am saying that "Iyabo Ojo" is extremely acting on this issue even beyond the mother of the concerned girl, probably there is an existing issue between her and Baba Ijesa which is unknown to us. Iyabo Ojo had a video that was shared with her by the mother of this child which Yomi Fabiyi never had, instead of sharing the video with Yomi Fabiyi and other movie practitioners after he asked for evidence(s), she decided to rain curses on him for having a separate opinion and later released the video to the social media. It was after the release of this video that we got to know she had the confession and that was the reason she stood for justice (which is fine) but the drag of several actors into this and name calling is just a wack way of getting justice, as she is entitled to her stance, so also are others.
Even Saheed Balogun who was silent on this issue was alleged to have been the one pushing for the bail of Baba Ijesa, this allegation made him to come out to make a clarification stating that he had not taken any step on the matter. How come he is now being dragged? No reasonable person will support rape but professionally, the Yoruba actors have not done well and if the crack within them isn't repaired, the industry might soon become a thing of the past.

I have been waiting for respected actors such as Taiwo Hassan, Jide Kosoko, Oga Bello, Oga Latin, Iya Rainbow, Iya Awero, to talk about what is going on but these wise ones are quiet and watching, just as elders should do and I believe asides from legal justice, the leadership of the theatre practitioners would also mete out their one punishment on the rapist. Oga Latin released a video as the president of TAMPAN where he outrightly talked about the official letter released by the association he is heading, the association condemned the act but can't do anything to Baba Ijesa because he doesn't belong to the association as there are several other associations in the industry.

According to Baba Ijesa, he was pushed to the act by the devil and I will add to what he said by saying the devil has pushed him to the end of his career and disgrace and the same devil should be blamed when he gets the appropriate punishment for his disgusting action.

Any form of sexual molestation is wrong!
Rape, unruly touching, taking advantage of the underaged, sex trafficking etc and all offenders must be punished appropriately!!.

THE SHOW OF SHAME DISPLAYED BY OUR CELEBRITIES IN THE YORUBA MOVIE INDUSTRY HAS DRAGGED THEM MORE ALONG WITH THIS CRIME, THEY DON'T HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO TEACH WHAT IS RIGHT THROUGH THEIR MOVIES, MANY OF THEM LACK THE WISDOM AND MORALS NEEDED TO APPROACH ISSUES. WHAT A SHAME!

Note: Baba Ijesa has been found guilty of child molestation according to the investigation by the police and it's in this that he will be charged  to court. We all pray for nothing but appropriate punishment for the crime he has committed. #DISGRACEFULACT

Written by Olabanji Joel
A Nurse, Writer and Socialist.

Please don't comment with emotion but with critical thinking