Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
Embattled Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James (alias Baba Ijesha), has said that Mr Adeshina Ogunlana, a former Chairman of Ikeja Branch of Nigerian Bar Association, is not his counsel.
In a copy of disclaimer made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos, James said that he never briefed Ogunlana to be his legal representative.
“I wish to state categorically and emphatically that I have never briefed the lawyer nor instructed him to act on my behalf in any way, or manner howsoever and whatsoever.
“He (Ogunlana) is not my lawyer, and whatever you heard or hear from him concerning my lawyers, the police or court case, does not represent the true position.
“He has been acting without my knowledge or consent,” he said.
The actor is being detained by the police for alleged sexual assault and defilement of the 14-year-old foster daughter of comedienne, Princess.
He was granted bail by a magistrate on Monday in spite of strike by judiciary workers.
“Baba Ijesha” said in the disclaimer that the police never demanded for money from him for the bail, which was granted him by a magistrate on health grounds.
“This is aside the N500, 000 refundable bail bond which formed part of my bail conditions ordered by the court.
“The bail bond is payable to the court registry’s account and not police account,” he said.
Speaking with NAN, Mr Kayode Olabiran, counsel to “Baba Ijesha” noted that the actor was granted bail on May 17, by a team from Lagos State Judiciary, Nigerian Bar Association and the state Ministry of Justice.
The team had visited the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Panti, Yaba, Lagos, in an efforts to decongest police stations across Lagos State.
Olabiran said that though the actor had fulfilled all the bail conditions, he had yet to be formally released by the judiciary.
“He is not out of police custody, we are hoping that the judiciary, the team from the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution will come again to Panti next week.
“It is one thing to be granted bail and another for your release to be ordered upon meeting all the conditions.
“That is the point we are now. We are waiting for them (the judiciary) to come so we will present all the documents and his release will be ordered,” he said. (NAN)
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