The Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria has condemned Yoruba movie actor Olarenwaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha after he was arrested for raping a 14-year-old girl.
In a statement issued on Saturday TAMPPAN expressed disappointment over the alleged sexual abuse of a teenager by the actor while describing his action as odious occurrence of paedophilia.
TAMPPAN in the statement signed by its Director of Research and Documentation, Yemi Amodu, said it would never support any hideous act but would support the Lagos State Government in ensuring that justice is served.
The statement reads thus in full; “We find it obligatory to condemn in totality the odious occurrence of paedophilia confessed to by Mr Olanrewaju James, aka Baba Ijesha, as confirmed by the police. Our association, TAMPPAN, is crestfallen about this act and will reproach and remonstrate the committer of such sexual harassment to prepubescent children.
“Considering the sensitivity of the case, which is still under investigation, TAMPPAN will never support all acts against what we preach and represent.
“As an association, we understand the mores and the social norms of our people and our behaviour will always be homiletic. Therefore, we would not fail to support the government in its bid to do justice towards ensuring that such ignoble acts are checked within our society.”
“While sympathising with the parents of the victim, the association urged parents to encourage their children to freely express themselves and expose such acts.
“We sympathise with the parents of the victim and also seize this opportunity to charge all parents to give their children or wards freedom to express themselves for the timely arrest of such horrible acts whenever such are committed,” it added.
