Baba Ijesha: Clinical Psychologist Cast Aspersions On Victim Narratives

A Clinical Psychologist, Dr Olukayode Olugbemi has cast aspersions on the narration of what transpired between a 14-year-old minor whom Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James alias Baba Ijesha allegedly defiled.

Giving his professional opinions after watching the footage of an interview conducted by child rights expert, Mrs Olabisi Ajayi-Kayode with the minor, the psychologist stated that the narration appeared to have been tutored.

Dr Olugbemi gave this observation while being led in evidence by the defence counsel, Mr Dada Awosika, SAN.

Baba Ijesha is facing a six-count charge before a Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court in Ikeja.

The charges border on the indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration and sexual assault by penetration.

Also Read: Lagos Holds Campaign Against Incessant Sexual Abuse

The Clinical Psychologist, who is the third defence witness noted that there is something wrong with the narration as it looks like a story that someone had relayed to her to repeat.

Questioning the witness further, Mr Awosika asked if it was normal for the narrator (the victim) to go back to the defendant after being abused.

“The victim narrated that she felt the wetness of the defendant after he told her to sit on his lap and later stood up to clean herself in which she later returned to the sitting room to watch television with him”

Dr Olugbemi replied that it was not normal as children would run to their “safe place” as they face Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, (PTSD).

“When something like rape or abuse happens, it is supposed to cause trauma. It is called PTSD. The child moves away from the person and does not go back again.
“In the encounter, I have had in the past, the next time the child sees their abuser, you will see visible fears because it is a traumatic event. It is what she can’t hide,” he responded.

You May Also Like: Sexual Offences Court Sentence Paedophile To Life Imprisonment

Under cross-examination by the Lagos State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Dr Babajide Martins, the witness, who admitted this was his first time giving evidence in court, noted that he could not be certain that the event did not happen.

Dr Martins also asked the psychologist if he would have been more effective if he had met the minor in person and he replied in the affirmative.

Earlier before the commencement of the proceedings, a taped recording of the forensic interview of the minor (victim) conducted on May 15, 2021, by a child expert, Mrs Olabisi Ajayi-Kayode was played in the courtroom.

During the interview, the child narrated to the child expert how the Nollywood actor had defiled her seven years prior.

She also revealed how she was also sexually assaulted by the defendant when he came to her home on April 19, 2021.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo adjourned the case until April 1 for the continuation of the trial.