The Nigeria Police Force has revealed that embattled actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, aka Baba Ijesha will remain in detention until the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria called off its nationwide strike.
This was revealed by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu while addressing demonstrators who staged a protest in front of the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department.
He said that the police is waiting on the courts resumed so that he could be arraigned while also adding that the continuous detention of Baba Ijesha is based on legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions in the state Ministry of Justice.
Odumosu said; “When they got the SCIID today (Wednesday), they were advised by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the SCIID, and he told them that we have done our work and sought legal advice from the Ministry of Justice and the advice was that we should still keep him in our custody.
“When we concluded our investigation, we forwarded our report to the ministry for legal advice. The ministry advised us through the Office of the Public Defender. The legal advice was that there was a prima facie case established against him and some sections of the law were quoted in the advice. So, the advice was that he should still remain in our custody and to be charged for that.”
According to Odumosu, the ministry might review its position concerning Omiyinka’s detention if the JUSUN strike continues indefinitely, adding that a new arrangement had been made in the state for courts to sit three times a week.
He said, “Regarding the JUSUN strike, they agreed to be working for three days and striking for two days. They will go on strike on Monday and Tuesday, while the courts will sit on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
“It was our hope that they would work on Wednesday, but coincidentally, Wednesday and Thursday are public holidays. But if the courts continue to remain shut, the Ministry of Justice may further review the report. But right now, we are relying on the advice of the ministry.”
