The Ikeja Special Offences Court on Wednesday refused the bail application pending appeal filed by convicted Nollywood actor James Olarewaju, alias Baba Ijesha.

Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo rejected the bail application of the embattled actor on grounds that he did not meet exceptional circumstances and criteria to warrant the bail.

“The applicant must show special and exceptional circumstances because the term given to him is five years, which is to run concurrently.

“There is no evidence that the appeal has been entered, and there is no indication before this court that the court will not treat the case expeditiously.

“It is in the view of this court that the applicant has failed to show special circumstances to warrant him bail because he is facing a serious crime.

“In view of this case, I am inclined to refuse the bail application of the applicants pending appeal,” Ms Taiwo held.

The embattled actor is seeking bail for an appeal for the five years conviction of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

On August 10, Baba Ijesha’s counsel, Gabriel Olabiran, informed the court that notice for bail pending appeal had been submitted pursuant to section 6 (6) of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Section 51 of the High Court law of Lagos State, administration of criminal justice law.

Mr Olabiran argued that the application admitted the applicant to bail, either unconditionally or upon reasonable conditions.

The state prosecutor, Yusuf Sule, however, in a counter affidavit dated August 18, argued that the defence failed in its address to establish the special circumstances which might grant the convict bail.

On July 14, the court sentenced the embattled actor to five years’ imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

(NAN)