Says Release Was Not a Clearance
By Muhammed Akindele
The Lagos State Government has dismissed reports suggesting that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was acquitted of sexual offences by the Court of Appeal.
Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), made the clarification on Sunday, emphasizing that the circulating claims were “false, misleading, and capable of distorting public understanding of the judicial process.”
His statement followed assertions by actor Yomi Fabiyi, who claimed on Friday, November 14, that Baba Ijesha had been released from prison because the Court of Appeal nullified all charges and cleared him of wrongdoing.
Pedro described the narrative as inaccurate and irresponsible, noting that no court at any point discharged or acquitted the convicted actor.
“No such clearance occurred at any stage of the judicial process,” he said.
According to the Attorney-General, Baba Ijesha was lawfully convicted by the Lagos State High Court on July 14, 2022, for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child in connection with incidents that took place in 2021. He was sentenced to five and three years respectively, to run concurrently.
Pedro explained that although the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on June 28, 2024, set aside convictions relating to alleged offences said to have occurred between 2013 and 2014, it upheld in full the conviction for the 2021 sexual assault case.
He added that subsequent attempts by the actor to challenge the judgment also failed. An appeal to the Supreme Court was struck out on May 29, 2025, for incompetence. A later motion seeking leave to file a fresh appeal was dismissed on October 9, 2025.
“The Court of Appeal judgment, which affirmed the 2021 conviction, remains valid and binding,” Pedro stated.
The Attorney-General stressed that Baba Ijesha’s recent release from custody was solely because he had completed the prison term imposed on him, not because he was exonerated.
“Mr. Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child,” he reiterated.
