Baba Ijesha Regains Freedom As Appeal Court Overturns Conviction

Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, widely known as Baba Ijesha, yesterday walked out of prison a free man after the Court of Appeal nullified his conviction for the sexual assault of a minor.

His release comes four years after his arrest in 2021 and more than two years after the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja sentenced him to 16 years’ imprisonment on multiple counts relating to the abuse of a 14-year-old girl.

A video circulating on Saturday showed the actor seated in a vehicle moments after regaining his freedom. Visibly relieved, he spoke briefly in Yoruba, confirming his release and noting that he needed time to rest. He thanked those who stood by him through the ordeal before promising to reconnect with them.

The development has stirred reactions across the entertainment industry. Actor and rights advocate Yomi Fabiyi, who had consistently campaigned for deeper scrutiny of the case, welcomed the judgement, describing it as a “clarifying moment” in what he insisted had been a poorly handled process. He maintained that the ruling reinforced the importance of due process, especially in matters involving minors.

Fabiyi stressed that the outcome should not be misconstrued as an endorsement of abuse, reiterating his stance against any form of violence or exploitation. He urged the public and institutions to approach sensitive allegations with diligence and balance.