Baba Ijesha walks free as Appeal Court quashes conviction, viral video sparks reactions

Baba Ijesha walks free as Appeal Court quashes conviction, viral video sparks reactions

 

Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, widely known as Baba Ijesha, has reportedly regained his freedom after the Court of Appeal overturned his conviction for the sexual assault of a minor.

The embattled comic star, arrested in 2021, had been handed a 16-year jail term by the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja in July 2022 after being found guilty on multiple counts involving the molestation of a 14-year-old girl.

On Saturday, a video — widely circulated across Facebook, Instagram and X — surfaced online showing the actor seated in a vehicle moments after his alleged release. In the clip, he appeared visibly relieved as he spoke briefly on the phone, according to a report by PUNCH.

“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,” he said in Yoruba.

Though PUNCH stated that it had not independently verified the footage, the man seen celebrating his release strongly appeared to be Baba Ijesha.

Actor Yomi Fabiyi, a close associate and one of the loudest voices advocating for him during the trial, also announced the development in an Instagram post on Friday.

Fabiyi described the Appeal Court’s ruling as a long-overdue clarification, insisting the case had been mishandled from the onset.

According to him, the judgement not only “clears” Baba Ijesha but also reinforces the need for fairness, due process, and the protection of rights in cases involving minors.

Fabiyi, who has repeatedly stressed his stance as a human rights advocate, reiterated that neither he nor the actor condones abuse.

“We never and will never support any form of sexual abuse, especially involving children,” he wrote. “We will continue to stand for justice and the protection of fundamental human rights.”

The development has continued to generate mixed reactions online as Nigerians await an official statement confirming the Appeal Court’s decision.