Kenneth Afor
The Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPPAN) has condemned the act carried out by one of its members, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, who has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by Yemi Amodu, Director of Research and Documentation, TAMPPAN, the association will never support any hideous, adding that it will assist the Lagos State Government in ensuring that justice is served,
The statement read in part: “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,” the statement added.
Baba Ijesha, 48, was arrested on Thursday, April 22, 2021, after the case was reported at Sabo Police Station by one Princess Adekola on April 19.
According to the Lagos State Police Command, the suspect started sexually assaulting the victim, who is now 14, since she was seven years old.
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