Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has been released from prison following a Court of Appeal judgment that overturned his conviction for the sexual assault of a minor.
Baba Ijesha was arrested in 2021 and, in July 2022, the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja sentenced him to 16 years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty on multiple counts relating to the assault of a 14-year-old girl.
A video that surfaced on Saturday shows the comic actor seated inside a vehicle shortly after regaining freedom. He appeared relieved and said he needed time to rest.
In a brief phone conversation recorded in the clip, he was heard speaking in Yoruba:
“Apáṣẹ, I’m out… I just came out. I want to relax. I just want to leave here, so I decided to inform you. Thank you for supporting me. I will call you.”
Confirming the development, Nollywood actor and activist Yomi Fabiyi welcomed the Appeal Court’s verdict in an Instagram post, describing it as a judgment that brought clarity to what he termed a mishandled case.
Fabiyi said the ruling “clears” the actor and urged both the public and authorities to approach sensitive allegations with caution and fairness.
“He is not just back but better,” he wrote, noting that the lengthy legal process highlighted the importance of due process, fairness, and the protection of rights in cases involving minors.
He maintained that, as a human rights advocate, he does not condone abuse of any kind.
“We never and will never condone or support any form of sexual abuse, let alone against children or minors. We will continue to advocate for justice and the protection of fundamental human rights,” he added.
Sources revealed that the Appeal Court held that the evidence presented during the initial trial was insufficient to sustain the earlier conviction, leading to Baba Ijesha’s release.
