Nollywood’s Baba Ijesha Regains Freedom After Legal Victory

Nollywood actor Olarenwaju James, widely known as Baba Ijesha, has been released from prison after a Court of Appeal ruling overturned his conviction for the sexual assault of a minor.

The actor had been arrested in 2021, and in July 2022 the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja sentenced him to 16 years in prison on multiple charges related to the assault of a 14-year-old girl.

A video that surfaced online over the weekend showed a man resembling Baba Ijesha seated in a vehicle moments after his release, expressing relief and saying he needed time to rest. Though the footage has not been independently verified, it has circulated widely on Facebook, Instagram and X.

In the clip, he was heard telling a caller in Yoruba that he had just left custody and needed some quiet time, thanking supporters and promising to reach out.

Nollywood actor and activist Yomi Fabiyi later confirmed the release in an Instagram post, praising the appellate ruling and describing the case as one that had suffered from missteps. He said the judgment brought needed clarity, stressing that issues involving minors must be handled with sensitivity and strict adherence to due process.

Fabiyi added that while he welcomes the court’s decision, he continues to oppose all forms of abuse and will keep advocating for justice and the protection of human rights.