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Fabiyi also posited that it is against the law to use a minor as a trap to gather evidence.
Yomi Fabiyi
CCTV footage surfaced on the internet on Sunday morning of Baba Ijesha molesting a 14-year-old girl.
Baba Ijesha who is currently in police custody has been accused of sexually assaulting a teenager. Popular comedienne, Princess, is the victim’s foster mother.
Fabiyi had maintained that colleague,'Baba Ijesha' is entitled in full equality to a fair hearing by an independent and impartial court of law.
According to Fabiyi in an exclusive interview with AllNews last Wednesday, notwithstanding the allegation and purported proof of the offence of sexual assault against Baba Ijesha, he shouldn't be sentenced on the internet.
“‘Eni ti a n so yi [the person we are talking about], is a suspect. He reserves the right to be heard, and for fair hearing.
“I am not going to be part of a society that rush to judgement. It is killing, it is damaging.
“The only thing that would make me feel different with everything going on is my conscience.
“I believe rape is a scourge. All of us must be united to fight it. And nothing has suggested that at this stage of my career, I support it,” Fabiyi had told AllNews.
He told AllNews at the time that he hadn't seen the video. Colleague, Iyabo Ojo said she saw the video, and gave a graphic description of the clip in a video posted on her verified Instagram page.
But after seeing the video, which has now gone viral, Fabiyi has this to say:
“It is disturbing and unfortunate viewing the images of the released CCTV footage of a minor been sexually abused by a senior colleague, Lanre Omiyinka a.k.a Baba Ijesha. There is no excuse for this act. I condemn this act, it is embarrassing and disappointing,” Fabiyi told AllNews on Sunday when asked his latest position on the matter.
“I have carefully wait for reliable options before jumping into conclusion as done in a civilised society, a stance a handful misconstrued as supporting the suspect. It is a shame a handful in Nigeria still engage in social media recklessness in the name of social media age. NO WHERE HAVE I SUPPORTED OR CONDONE SUCH, someone just place the idea and many without caution jumped on it. If you are not enlightened, SEEK KNOWLEDGE.
“The only person free from arrest and prosecution is the young lady. Several red lines were crossed, IGNORANCE is never an excuse. The key question every honest person should be asking is, "if the girl was your child, can you make her go through such truama again in the name of gathering evidence? Where are the social services and domestic violence unit in Lagos State? Shelve press release and sentiments, swing into action.
“The law is sacrosanct and we all can agree a lot more needs to be done TO PROTECT CHILDREN IN NIGERIA.
“I sad [sic], we have failed many innocent children and it is time we rise to this challenge, THE WORLD IS WATCHING.”
Fabiyi, the President of Break The Silence Foundation, an NGO, continued:
“Every Nigerian who honestly feel for the poor girl should take to the street in a peaceful protest, demand arrest of all connected to this ugly images, it is a cause worth risking everything for, do it for humanity and every innocent child.
“However, sentiment should never be an excuse to abuse the rights of every suspect or persons connected, that is the only way to achieve peace, fairness, justice and development.
“Thanks to the Lagos Police Commissioner and officers for their meticulous investigation and efforts so far.
“A society patient to balance a story seldom get misled or stand with lies. The media are doing good job too. We want a safer Nigeria for every child. Thank you.”
READ ALSO: EXCLUSIVE: Yomi Fabiyi Replies 'Sister' Iyabo Ojo Over Baba Ijesha 'Rape' Saga
AllNews reported last Wednesday that Fabiyi clarified that he did not assert that Baba Ijesha is not a rapist, neither did he posit that the victim is mendacious.
Fabiyi as well denied asking for the CCTV clip of the teenager being sexually molested to be made public, ostensibly to serve as evidence.
Recall that actress Iyabo Ojo had seriously lambasted Fabiyi over the comments he made on social media purportedly sympathising with Baba Ijesha who has been arrested for allegedly molesting a 14-year-old girl.
Fabiyi's post came after Lagos police revealed in a statement not long ago that Baba Ijesha, 48, confessed to the crime of molestation and was caught on CCTV.
Fabiyi released a post last Monday asking his colleagues not to jump to conclusions. He was widely reported to have demanded evidence first.
Fabiyi’s Instagram post earlier last week did not go down well with many people in the film industry - and in fact Nigerians at large.
Earlier last Wednesday, a teary Princess, a popular Nigerian Comedienne, released a video where she expressed her extreme sadness.
According to Princess who is the foster parent of the victim, Baba Ijesha sexually assaulted the girl more than once.
The victim opened up about the incident recently at the age of 14.
At this point, Princess said she put up a CCTV camera in the house and alleged it captured Baba Ijesha sexually harassing the girl. She says that when he was confronted, he confessed and blamed on the devil.
After this video by Princess, Iyabo Ojo took to her verified Instagram page last Wednesday to address the rape issue once more. This time, vehemently attacking Fabiyi.
But speaking to AllNews last Wednesday, Fabiyi, the President of Break The Silence Foundation, an NGO, said he was misconstrued by many.
"Every lie has an expiry date. Providence will deal with some certain things. If the media can be honest to themselves, they [will] see that the only thing there is that I have only said my personal opinion, which is safer and conscious.
"I did not say 'he [Baba Ijesha]] is not a rapist', or the girl is lying, or nothing - nothing like that,” Fabiyi had said.
Meanwhile, Iyabo Ojo last Thursday, released a video of Baba Ijesha making confession.
Same day, chaos erupted at Panti over the reported plan by Lagos Police to release Baba Ijesha last Friday.
Nigerian celebrities reportedly stormed the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Panti over alleged plans to release Baba Ijesha on bail amidst the rape allegations levelled against him.
But the Police has since said it is not releasing Baba Ijesha soon.
READ ALSO: Rape: Lawyer Blames Low Conviction Rate On Unwillingness Of Victims To Testify
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