By Abiola Olawale
The Lagos State Government has moved to clear the air regarding the recent status of Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, firmly debunking widespread reports suggesting he was “cleared” or “acquitted” of his sexual assault charges.
The state government, through the Ministry of Justice, confirmed that the actor’s release from custody was a procedural matter, signifying he had completed his concurrent jail term as originally handed down by the Lagos High Court.
The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, made this known while speaking to journalists in Lagos on Sunday.
Pedro said his office was alarmed by a social media post by actor Yomi Fabiyi, which alleged that Baba Ijesha had been exonerated of all charges, including sexual offences involving a minor.
He explained that clarification became necessary after Fabiyi claimed the Court of Appeal had “cleared” the convict of ever defiling a minor and labelled the case a “charade.”
The Attorney-General outlined the legal history, noting that the High Court of Lagos State, on July 14, 2022, convicted Baba Ijesha for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child over incidents in 2021, sentencing him to five years and three years respectively, to run concurrently.
He stated: ”On June 28, 2024, the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, delivered judgment on his appeal.
“While the court set aside convictions relating to alleged offences from 2013–2014, it upheld the conviction and sentence for the 2021 sexual assault charges.”
Pedro said Baba Ijesha pursued a Supreme Court appeal, which was struck out on May 29, 2025, for incompetence.
He said a subsequent motion for leave to file a fresh appeal was dismissed on October 9, 2025, leaving the Court of Appeal judgment fully intact.
He emphasised that the actor’s release was solely because he had completed his full term of imprisonment as affirmed by the Court of Appeal, not because he was discharged or acquitted.
“Mr. Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child,” Pedro said.
