Tag: Baba ijesha

The Lagos State Domestic and S*xual Violence Agency has confirmed that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has been added to the Lagos State S*x Offenders’ Register following the completion of his sentence for s*xually assaulting a minor.

‎Baba Ijesha, who was convicted in 2021, was sentenced to prison for assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

‎In a statement released on Saturday, November 17, the Lagos State Government, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, denied reports that the actor was cleared by the Court of Appeal.

‎Pedro described the circulating accusations as “false, misleading, and irresponsible,” emphasising that the conviction remains valid.

‎In a post shared on X on Sunday, November 16, the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency restated the government’s position, quoting the Attorney-General as saying,that his name has been written in the s#x offenders list.

‘’Mr. Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child,” Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN stated, warning that Fabiyi’s assertions were wholly untrue and capable of alarming the public.

In line with Section 37 of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law 2021, his name has been duly entered into the Lagos State Sex Offenders Register. This measure supports ongoing efforts to protect minors, strengthen accountability and ensure that accurate information is available to the public.”

Olanrewaju Omiyinka, the renowned Nigerian actor, who is popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has been officially released from prison.

The actor regained his freedom on Friday, November 14, 2025, after spending over three years in custody over alleged s*xual assault.

Announcing Baba Ijesha’s release, actor Yomi Fabiyi, in a post shared on his Instagram page on Friday evening, stated that he was freed after being cleared by the Appeal Court.

Fabiyi wrote: “You are now officially FREE AND OUT. Baba Ijesha is not just back but BETTER.

“I am also happy you were cleared by the APPEAL COURT of ever having s*x/defile any child/minor. The 7-year-old story is a charade. We live in a terrible world, where sentiments and wickedness rise above the rule of law and truth.”

Baba Ijesha was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment on July 14, 2022, by the Lagos State High Court for s*xually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Olanrewaju James, a popular and embattled actor, famously known as Baba Ijesha, continues to serve his jail term.

The actor, who was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment for child defilement, has spent one year of his prison term at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos State.

He was convicted of the crime on July 14, 2022, and was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment on four of the six-count charge—indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration, and sexual assault by penetration— preferred against him.

Recall that James was arrested on April 22, 2021, and first appeared before Magistrate P.E. Nwaka of the Yaba Magistrate Court in Yaba, Lagos, on July 16, 2021.

The actor was later arraigned at the Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, who eventually delivered the judgment. While reading her judgment, she said, “I hereby find the defendant guilty of count two to five, and he is discharged of counts one and six. The defendant is here by sentenced to five years imprisonment for count two, three years for count three, five years for count four, and three years for count five.”

The case generated a lot of attention and controversies. It also ‘divided’ the entertainment industry as some celebs supported comedian, Princess Adekoya, whose ward was the one defiled; while some empathised with Baba Ijesha.

Some of the people who were sympathetic to Baba Ijesha’s plight were Yomi Fabiyi, Bukky Black, and Lege Miami. On his part, Fabiyi maintained that the actor was ‘ambushed’ into the crime.

On the other hand, actresses, such as Iyabo Ojo Nkechi Blessing, vehemently supported Princess.

In an interview with our correspondent during the week, Fabiyi said, “First, it is difficult for me to deny knowing him. My non-governmental organisation decided to hear his side, do our own little investigation, and what we found out required us to give him a voice, as it looked like he was ‘ambushed into that misfortune’.

“There were too many questions begging for answers, as could be seen at the end of the trial, hence the appeal.”

Maintaining that he had been in constant communication with the beleaguered actor since he was committed to prison, Fabiyi said, “My first visit started from the second day he was sentenced to prison. I also ensure that I regular communicate with him in prison.”

He added, “I am not in shoes, but I am trying my best to keep his spirits high and get him not to think of suicide or any vendetta. When his father died (on May 13, 2023), it was a difficult moment.

“However, he is still bothered that the age of the girl was not proven with a birth certificate. The absence of some factors before a guilty verdict was passed gives him serious mental agony. He feels he has been unjustly punished.”

Most times during the trial, when Baba Ijesha appeared in court, he usually looked morose and dejected. On a particular day, he was seen clutching a Christian book titled, ‘How to Thrive in Perilous Times: Living Beyond the World System,’ written by Happy Caldwell.