A high court in Lagos on Wednesday has ruled Baba Ijesha’s confessional statement relevant and admissible.
Recall that Baba Ijesha, had made a U-turn, disowning the confessional statement attributed to him in the charge bordering on sexual offences levelled against him.
READ ALSO: Road Accident: 7 Dead, Dozens Injured As Trucks Collide In Ibadan
Baba Ijesha noted that he was forced to sign the statement after thugs beat and tortured him to admit to the said offence.
He said he was beaten with a stick, forced to sit on the floor and sign the statement.
He also claimed that everything in the statement was dictated to the police by the complainant, Ms Damilola Adekola, otherwise known as Princess, a comedienne.
He was led in evidence by one of his counsel, Dada Awosika, SAN, during the trial-within-trial.
In the court’s ruling upon the close of the trial-within-trial on Wednesday, it held that there was No evidence to support the claims of torture or that the defendant signed the statement under duress.
READ ALSO: Alleged Murder: Two Persons Found Dead, Naked In Ogun State
In the words of the judge, “His claim that Inspector Abigail Promised to let him go early isn’t corroborated, it is her word against his. Sitting on the floor doesn’t vitiate the confessional statement, the document is found to be relevant and admissible.”
After the ruling, the court admitted the statement as part of the exhibits in the trial.
The State government led by the Director of Public Prosecution, Olayinka Adeyemi then concluded the evidence of Inspector Omane, its sixth and last witness.
Upon the close of the prosecution’s case, the lead defence counsel, Kayode Olabiran told the court that it would be filing a no-case submission to challenge the state government’s evidence linking Baba Ijesha to the offences.
The court adjourned hearing till January 26 for both sides to adopt addresses in the defence’ no-case submission.
©ControlTV2021.
