Nollywood actor sentenced for child sexual assault

An actor from Nigeria was convicted of sexually molesting a child between 2013 and 2014.

Olanrewaju Omiyinka's trial in a special offenses court in Lagos took a full year.

In Nigeria's film business, known as Nollywood, the 49-year-old is widely known as Baba Ijesha.

Olayinka was found guilty of four crimes, and the judge decided that he should get a total term of 16 years for the four offenses.

But because he must serve both terms of imprisonment concurrently, his maximum punishment is five years.

Due to insufficient evidence, two sexual assault charges were withdrawn.

Olayinka agreed to the victim's molestation in court last year, but he said it was because of a role he was playing in a movie that promoted the prevention of child sex abuse.

The decision, according to advocates for women's and children's rights, will serve as a deterrent to anyone wishing to exploit children.

His attorneys intend to file an appeal against the ruling.