The Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development has said it will ensure that justice is served in the alleged case of sexual molestation by a Yoruba actor Mr. Olanrewaju James popularly known as Baba Ijesha.
The Ministry also condemned the circulation of the video on social media and appealed that the public refrains from showing the face of the abused child, as a way to protect her from stigmatization and further trauma.
The Ministry in a press statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs, Olabisi Adeola, noted that it will provide professional counseling and psychosocial support to the child to enable her fully recover from the trauma.
The statement also read in part that, “the Honorable Commissioner, Mr. Olusegun Dawodu has mandated the Child Protection Unit to take every step within the law, and in consultation with the Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team of Lagos State, to ensure that justice is served.
“It should be noted that in a statement signed by the Honorable Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) has stated that the said Mr. James will be prosecuted for the alleged offence on different counts.
While urging all parents and guardians to be fully committed to their duty of watching over their children or wards, the Ministry hereby assures all and sundry that no case of child abuse (no matter who the perpetrator may be) will be tolerated in the State.