Baba Ijesha Regains Freedom After Appeal Court Nullifies Conviction
Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, better known as Baba Ijesha, has reportedly left prison after an Appeal Court ruling nullified the judgment that sent him behind bars for the sexual assault of a minor.
The actor had been in custody since 2021, and in July 2022, the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja sentenced him to 16 years for offences connected to the molestation of a 14-year-old girl.
On Saturday, a video began circulating widely on social media showing a man resembling the comic actor inside a vehicle, looking relieved and speaking briefly about his release. Although the clip has not been independently verified, the individual appeared to be Baba Ijesha.
In the short phone conversation recorded in the video, he said in Yoruba: “Apase, I’m out… I just came out. I want to relax. I just want to leave here so I decided to inform you. Thank you for supporting me. I will call you.”
His colleague and long-time associate, Yomi Fabiyi, also shared the news on Instagram, stating that the Appeal Court’s decision had finally brought clarity to what he described as a poorly handled case. Fabiyi maintained that the judgment vindicated the actor and called for greater caution when dealing with allegations involving minors.
He stressed that advocating for human rights does not mean supporting abuse, noting that he has always opposed any form of sexual violence, especially against children. Fabiyi added that the lengthy legal process highlights the need for due process and fairness in all sensitive cases.
