The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), has dismissed circulating reports that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly called Baba Ijesha, regained freedom because he was exonerated by the Court of Appeal. Pedro described the claims as “false, misleading and irresponsible.”
Speaking with journalists in Lagos on Sunday, the AG condemned a social media post by actor Yomi Fabiyi, who alleged that the appellate court had absolved Baba Ijesha of all allegations, including sexually assaulting a minor. According to Pedro, the narrative was “a complete distortion of the judicial record and capable of misleading the public.”
Pedro outlined the case history, reminding the public that the Lagos High Court, on July 14, 2022, found Baba Ijesha guilty of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child in relation to offences committed in 2021. The actor was sentenced to five and three years respectively, with both sentences running concurrently.
He explained that the Court of Appeal delivered its judgment on June 28, 2024. “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,” he said.
Pedro added that Baba Ijesha’s subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court was struck out on May 29, 2025, and a request to file a fresh appeal was rejected on October 9, 2025, meaning the appellate court’s decision remains final.
The AG stressed that the actor’s recent release had nothing to do with acquittal. “Mr. Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child,” he said, emphasising that the release followed the completion of his jail term.
Pedro urged the public to ignore the misleading posts and cautioned Fabiyi and others sharing the claims to stop. He also warned that the Ministry of Justice “will not hesitate to initiate criminal proceedings for publication of false news with intent to cause fear or alarm,” an offence under Section 39 of the Lagos Criminal Law.
Meanwhile, comedienne Damilola Adekoya, known as Princess, reacted to Baba Ijesha’s release by calling for his name to be added to the Lagos sex offender register. During a live Instagram session on Saturday, November 15, 2025, she said, “I want to urge Lagos State Government, the Department of Justice, to please publish his name in the sex offenders register,” noting that she would be awaiting further updates.
