How Princess begged me to promote her – Baba Ijesha

Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, aka Baba Ijesha, made effort to extricate himself from the accusation of sexual molestation of a minor as he testifies in his ongoing trial on Friday.

James, in his testimony, claimed he was formerly in a romantic relationship with Damilola Adekoya (aka Princess), the comedienne who accused him of molesting her 14-year-old foster daughter.

While being led in evidence by Dada Awosika, SAN, Baba Ijesha said of Princess had phoned in while he hosted a radio show on Radio Lagos FM, declaring to be a fan.

“She said she was my number one fan and asked me to promote her on my programme. That was how we started.”

“We were dating, my lord. She always slept in my room. We slept together. We both touched and kissed ourselves.

The defendant added that in the course of the relationship, he met Princess’ mother and she advised him to take care of her daughter, and that though her daughter was stubborn, he could handle her.

Narrating what transpired in 2014, the day he allegedly sexually molested Princess’s foster daughter with a car key, he stated that the comedienne informed him that she was battling ill-health and needed some fruits. According to him, he then took some fruits to her home.

Immediately I opened the door to her house and saw her half naked. I then told her the fruits were inside the car.

“Few minutes after, the young girl (Princess’s foster daughter) came to pick the fruits from the car.”

Under cross-examination by the Lagos State Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, Dr Jide Martins, the defendant denied defiling the minor.

He, however, admitted knowing the child since she was seven years old.

“Princess is not my benefactor. She is the one who benefitted from me,” he said.

A teary James denied his testimony was an afterthought.

After listening to both parties, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo adjourned the case until March 11 for continuation of defence.