Baba Ijesha Receives Chieftaincy Title, Brand-New Car from Ooni of Ife

Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has announced that the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, conferred a chieftaincy title on him and presented him with a brand-new car during a recent visit to the monarch’s palace in Ile-Ife, Osun State.

The actor disclosed the development in a Facebook post on Thursday, where he expressed gratitude to the revered traditional ruler for what he described as a warm royal reception, fatherly support and generous gifts extended to him and his wife, Afolashade Omiyinka, popularly known as Luminee.

According to Baba Ijesha, the Ooni bestowed on him the traditional title of “Baba Awada Konge Oduwa,” a recognition he described as a significant milestone in his life.

Sharing photographs from the palace visit, the actor thanked the monarch for the honour and the confidence reposed in him and his family.

“My deepest gratitude to His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife. Baba, thank you for the royal welcome, fatherly love and the confidence you gave my wife and me. For the luxurious gifts you blessed us with, including the brand-new car, I am truly humbled.

“As a son of the soil, I am honoured by the chieftaincy title of Baba Awada Konge Oduwa. Ile-Ife, Ile Oodua, and all the chiefs and citizens, thank you.”

READ ALSO:

• Dangote Announces Fresh N50 Petrol Price Reduction, Opens Supply to All Marketers
• Emefiele Trial: Witness Tells Court $6.23m CBN Election Observer Fund Was ‘Pure Theft’
• Documents Expose How Disputed Presidential Council Secured Approval to Recruit 300 Staff

As of the time of filing this report, the Ooni’s Palace had not issued an official statement confirming the conferment of the title or the presentation of the vehicle. The announcement is based on Baba Ijesha’s public statement and photographs shared from the palace visit.

The reported royal recognition comes just weeks after the actor and his wife welcomed their first child together, a baby boy named King Kagar Omiyinka.

Baba Ijesha announced the birth on social media, thanking God for the new addition to his family and describing the child as a divine blessing. The couple later held a naming ceremony that attracted attention on social media after the cost of the Aso Ebi fabric generated mixed reactions among Nigerians.

The actor’s latest announcement has equally sparked widespread reactions online.

While many fans and well-wishers congratulated Baba Ijesha on receiving what they described as a prestigious traditional honour, others questioned the decision in light of his previous conviction.

In July 2022, Baba Ijesha was convicted by a Lagos Special Offences Court on charges relating to the sexual assault of a minor and sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment.

However, following a review of the applicable sentencing provisions and credit for time already spent in custody, he was released in November 2025 after serving more than three years in prison.

Since regaining his freedom, the actor has gradually returned to public life, frequently sharing updates about his family and expressing gratitude for what he describes as a second chance.

The reported honour from the Ooni has reignited public debate, with supporters describing it as an act of cultural recognition and encouragement, while critics argue that public honours should take into account the broader societal implications of celebrating individuals with criminal convictions.

The development has once again placed Baba Ijesha, the Ooni of Ife, and the conversation around traditional honours and public accountability at the centre of public discourse.

Baba Ijesha Receives Chieftaincy Title, Brand-New Car from Ooni of Ife

Court Adjourns Emeka Ike’s ₦10bn Privacy Breach Suit Against INEC, Wike’s Aide

A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned until July 22, 2026, further proceedings in the ₦10 billion privacy breach suit filed by Nollywood actor and politician Emeka Ike against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Justice S.O. Ibrahim fixed the new date after INEC, the second respondent, failed to appear in court despite being served with hearing notices.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1272/2026, centres on the alleged unlawful disclosure of Ike’s voter registration details, which were published on Olayinka’s verified X (formerly Twitter) account during a political exchange over the actor’s participation in the AMAC/Bwari Federal Constituency House of Representatives primary ahead of the 2027 general election.

At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel to the plaintiff, L.T. Adeh, informed the court that Olayinka had filed and served a counter-affidavit but noted that INEC was absent despite receiving hearing notices.

Adeh urged the court to grant a short adjournment to enable the electoral commission to appear and participate in the proceedings. He also disclosed that the plaintiff would file a reply to the first respondent’s counter-affidavit before the next hearing.

READ ALSO:

Counsel for Olayinka, Akpama Ekwe, said he was ready to proceed with the case but did not oppose the request for an adjournment. He argued, however, that INEC could not be compelled to appear before the court.

Justice Ibrahim ruled that the interest of fair hearing required giving the electoral commission another opportunity to participate in the proceedings. He subsequently adjourned the matter until July 22 and directed that INEC be served afresh with hearing notices and all court processes filed in the suit.

READ ALSO:

• UK Apologises for Historic Forced Adoption, Unveils £4 Million Support Package for Survivors
• Bandits Kill Chief Imam, Two Others in Coordinated Sokoto Village Attacks
• Court Affirms David Mark-Led ADC Leadership, Dismisses Abejide’s Suit

The legal action stems from screenshots showing the transfer of Emeka Ike’s voter registration from Imo State to the Federal Capital Territory, which surfaced on social media in May.

According to the actor, the information was obtained from INEC’s restricted Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) administrative portal and published without his consent.

Ike contends that the disclosure violated his constitutional right to privacy under Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and breached the provisions of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023.

The actor is asking the court to declare the publication unlawful, order the removal of the social media post from all platforms, compel Olayinka to publish a public apology, and award him ₦10 billion in general, aggravated and exemplary damages.

Speaking with journalists after the hearing, Olayinka’s lawyer, Akpama Ekwe, argued that his client did not publish any sensitive personal information.

According to him, the documents only contained Ike’s name, passport photograph and voter transfer reference number.

“There is no case against my client. What he published was already in the public domain and did not contain any confidential personal information,” Ekwe maintained.

He also described the documents relied upon by the plaintiff as inadmissible and insisted that Olayinka committed no offence.

Reacting after the proceedings, Ike’s lawyer, L.T. Adeh, said the case extends beyond his client and could help strengthen the protection of Nigerians’ personal information.

He argued that if one person’s voter record could be accessed and published without authorisation, millions of other voter records could also be vulnerable.

Adeh expressed confidence that the court would establish an important legal precedent capable of improving compliance with the Nigeria Data Protection Act and safeguarding the personal data of registered voters.

Meanwhile, INEC has consistently maintained that its servers were not hacked.

The electoral commission said preliminary investigations showed that the documents were accessed through the alleged misuse of authorised internal credentials rather than any breach of its database.

INEC has reportedly suspended the electoral officer linked to the incident and said it is cooperating with relevant security agencies and the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC) in ongoing investigations.

The case has attracted widespread public attention because it raises significant questions about data protection, cybersecurity, electoral integrity and the responsibility of public institutions to safeguard the personal information of more than 90 million registered Nigerian voters.

Legal observers believe the outcome of the suit could become one of Nigeria’s most significant judicial interpretations of the Nigeria Data Protection Act, 2023, particularly regarding the handling and disclosure of citizens’ personal data by government agencies and public officials.

If desired, I can also make it more punchy and conversational in the style of Punch, Vanguard, or TheCable to further improve engagement and Google Discover performance.

Court Adjourns Emeka Ike’s ₦10bn Privacy Breach Suit Against INEC, Wike’s Aide

Yoruba Movie Industry Mourns Veteran Actor, Elegbeje Ado

The Yoruba film industry has been plunged into mourning following the death of veteran actor and Christian cleric, Taiwo Adeshina, popularly known as Elegbeje Ado, whose passing marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned both the entertainment and gospel ministries.

Adeshina reportedly died on Monday, June 29, 2026, after a brief illness. News of his death broke on Tuesday, triggering an outpouring of tributes from colleagues, fans and members of the gospel film community, who celebrated his immense contributions to Yoruba cinema and his unwavering commitment to Christian evangelism.

Widely regarded as one of the respected character actors in the Yoruba movie industry, Adeshina built a distinguished career through memorable performances in numerous indigenous films. His versatility, professionalism and dedication earned him admiration from audiences and fellow actors alike.

Beyond the screen, Adeshina answered the call to Christian ministry and later announced his decision to quit secular filmmaking in order to focus entirely on gospel film production and evangelism. The move reflected his desire to use drama as a platform for spreading the Christian faith and promoting moral values.

READ ALSO:

• FG Overhauls NYSC After 53 Years, Approves Civilian Leadership, Skills-Based Service Scheme
• Court grants Sowore ₦200m bail in cybercrime trial, sets July 6 for defence
• Breaking: Third Batch of Nigerians Fleeing South Africa’s Xenophobic Violence Arrives in Lagos

His transition into gospel filmmaking further expanded his influence, making him a respected figure among faith-based filmmakers and younger actors who looked up to him as a mentor. Through his productions and pastoral work, he inspired many with his passion for excellence, discipline and service to God.

Although the exact cause of his illness was not disclosed, news of his passing has generated widespread reactions on social media, where admirers described him as a humble, gifted and selfless entertainer whose impact on the Yoruba film industry will endure for generations.

Tributes have continued to pour in from actors, filmmakers, church leaders and fans, many of whom remembered him not only for his unforgettable roles on screen but also for his devotion to Christian ministry and his exemplary lifestyle.

Adeshina’s death represents a significant loss to both the Nigerian entertainment industry and the gospel community. His enduring legacy lives on through the countless films he featured in, the gospel productions he championed and the many lives he touched through his ministry.

He is survived by his family, church members, colleagues and numerous admirers. As of the time of filing this report, funeral arrangements had yet to be announced.

Yoruba Movie Industry Mourns Veteran Actor, Elegbeje Ado