The Lagos State Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) on Monday said it will prosecute a controversial Yoruba actor, Yomi Fabiyi, for contempt of court over production of ‘Oko Iyabo.’
In the movie, Omiyinka Olanrewaju aka Baba Ijesha, who is being tried for allegedly raping a minor, was portrayed as being innocent of the charges against him.
The movie has drawn a backlash from viewers and celebrities while many people have reported it on YouTube.
The DPP director and prosecution counsel, Olayinka Adeyemi, said Mr Fabiyi made a movie from the facts of Baba Ijesha’s ongoing alleged rape case using the real names of the defendants and the survivor of the case.
Ms Adeyemi also pleaded with the court to exclude him (Fabiyi) from the court proceeding. Fabiyi was not present at the court on Monday.
“Despite the warnings of this honourable court, an actor called Yomi Fabiyi went ahead and made a movie about the facts of this case,” she said.
“He used the real names of the parties and witnesses in this matter in the movie. Our application is to exclude him, his privies and his agents from proceedings in court.
“He is not in court at the moment but his representatives may be in court. This is contempt of court and we intend to prosecute him and bring him before this court,” the DPP prosecution counsel said.
The judge, Oluwatoyin Taiwo, responded and said the matter will be investigated.
“This case is subjudice and you are not to be making videos and disparaging comments on social media. This needs to be investigated, let’s see whether it is true, she said.”
Meanwhile, Dada Awosika , one of Baba Ijesha’s defence counsel, argued that he has seen the movie and it has no relation to the judicial proceedings.
He added that, “The movie is about the controversy between two artists – Yomi Fabiyi and Iyabo Ojo” and they are not involved in the case.
During the court proceeding, comedienne cum actress and foster mother of the complainant, Damilola Adekoya better known as Princess, gave a witness account of how she met and groomed Baba Ijesha.
Yoruba actress Iyabo Ojo and comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka, were in court during the proceedings to support Princess.
