A fresh twist has emerged in the long-running case of Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, widely known as Baba Ijesha, as he reportedly regained freedom following a Court of Appeal decision overturning his conviction for sexually assaulting a minor.
Background checks show that the actor was arrested in 2021 and later convicted by the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, which in July 2022 sentenced him to 16 years in prison after finding him guilty on several counts involving the molestation of a 14-year-old girl.
Circulating online on Saturday was an unverified video suggesting that the comic actor had been released, with the individual in the clip seen sitting in a vehicle and expressing relief that he was finally out of custody.
Shared across Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), the footage generated reactions from supporters and critics, even though independent verification of the clip had yet to be established at press time.
Another portion of the video captured a phone conversation in which the man believed to be Baba Ijesha spoke in Yoruba, saying, “Apase, I’m out… I just came out. I want to rest. I just want to leave here so I decided to inform you. Thank you for supporting me. I will call you.”
Meanwhile, Nollywood actor Yomi Fabiyi, a long-time associate of Baba Ijesha, announced the development in a post on Friday, claiming the Appeal Court ruling had resolved what he called a mismanaged case.
According to him, the decision “clears” the embattled actor and should serve as a reminder that sensitive allegations require careful handling by both the public and authorities.
Fabiyi noted that the lengthy litigation reinforced the importance of fairness, due process and the protection of rights in cases involving minors, insisting that the actor would return “not just back but better.”
He emphasised that his advocacy for human rights does not negate his firm stance against all forms of abuse, adding, “We never and will never condone or support any form of sexual abuse, let alone on children or minors. We will continue to advocate for justice and the protection of fundamental human rights.”
