BREAKING NEWS (November 15, 2025): Yesterday, November 14, 2025, Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was released from prison after spending over three years in custody. The Appeal Court cleared him of the sexual assault charges that led to his 16-year prison sentence in July 2022. His release marks the latest chapter in one of Nollywood’s most controversial and divisive cases.
CONTENT WARNING: This biography discusses allegations and convictions related to child sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.
Look, writing about Baba Ijesha requires addressing one of the most painful chapters in Nollywood history. This is a man who spent decades making Nigerians laugh, built a respected career as a comic actor, then had everything destroyed by sexual assault allegations, a highly publicized arrest, a conviction that sent him to prison for 16 years, and now a stunning reversal by an Appeal Court. Whether you believe he was guilty or wrongly convicted, this story has torn Nollywood apart and raised serious questions about justice, celebrity, and how we protect children.
I’m going to walk you through the complete Baba Ijesha biography – from his birth in Ile-Ife in 1972, through his rise as one of Yoruba Nollywood’s most beloved comic actors, the April 2021 allegations and arrest that shocked Nigeria, his trial and conviction, his three years in prison, and his release yesterday. This isn’t entertainment gossip. This is a serious examination of a case that divided a nation.
The Ile-Ife Beginning: Born to Perform
James Olanrewaju Omiyinka (also spelled Olarenwaju Omiyinka) was born on October 28, 1972, in Ile-Ife, Osun State – the cradle of Yoruba civilization and culture. His stage name “Baba Ijesha” would come later, derived from a movie role where he played an Ijesha man so convincingly that the name stuck.
Growing up in Ile-Ife, young Olanrewaju discovered his passion for entertainment early. His father was a local champion comedian and joke cracker, so comedy and performance were literally in his blood. While in primary school, Olanrewaju entertained friends and classmates, developing the comic timing and character work that would later make him famous.
He completed his primary education in Osun State before relocating to Lagos for secondary school. This move to Lagos would prove pivotal – it placed him in Nigeria’s entertainment capital where opportunities existed to turn his talent into a career.
The Acting Breakthrough: From Stage to Screen
In 1985, at just 13 years old, Olanrewaju moved to Lagos and began his professional acting career. He started with television soap operas and stage plays, learning his craft in Lagos’s vibrant theater scene.
His big break came with Saheed Balogun’s movie “Omo Orita” in the late 1990s. The film, which also featured Yomi Fash-Lanso, Bisi Gboye, Jide Kosoko, and Ronke Ojo, introduced Baba Ijesha to Nollywood audiences and showcased his unique comedic abilities.
The “Baba Ijesha” Character:
The nickname that would define his career came from a movie where he played an old, unintelligent Ijesha man. His portrayal was so memorable – the mannerisms, the accent, the facial expressions – that audiences started calling him “Baba Ijesha” in real life. The character name became more famous than his real name.
The Golden Years: Nollywood Stardom
Through the 2000s and 2010s, Baba Ijesha became one of Yoruba Nollywood’s most recognizable comic actors. His films included:
- Afefe Ife
- Opolo
- Ololo Masun
- Botife
- And dozens more
What made Baba Ijesha special was his ability to create memorable characters. He wasn’t just telling jokes – he was embodying funny personalities. His exaggerated expressions, physical comedy, and unique voice made him instantly recognizable.
YouTube Success:
In 2018, understanding social media’s potential, Baba Ijesha created “OfficialBabaijeshaTV” on YouTube. The channel gained over 1 million views, with content mostly in Yoruba language. He created comedy skits, covered songs (including a famous cover of Adekunle Gold’s “Pick Up”), and maintained direct connection with fans.
By 2021, before his arrest, Baba Ijesha had appeared in over 100 Yoruba films and was one of the industry’s most bankable comic actors. He was respected by colleagues, loved by audiences, and seemed to have a long career ahead.
The Personal Life: Marriage and Family
Marriage:
On July 14, 2012, Baba Ijesha married in a traditional ceremony held at the Eko FM Hall in Ikeja, Lagos. Several Nollywood stars attended. The following year, on July 6, 2013, the couple held their white wedding ceremony.
His wife is reportedly a manager at Samsung in Lagos. She has maintained an extremely low profile, especially after the allegations and arrest. Her name has been kept largely private, and she hasn’t made public statements about the case.
Children:
According to multiple sources, including statements made by comedian Princess during the case, Baba Ijesha does not have biological children. This detail became significant during the trial discussions about his alleged actions toward minors.
April 19, 2021: The Day Everything Collapsed
On April 19, 2021, comedian Damilola Adekoya (known professionally as Princess) reported to the Sabo Police Station in Lagos that Baba Ijesha had sexually assaulted her 14-year-old foster daughter.
The Allegations:
According to Princess’s account, Baba Ijesha had first assaulted the girl in 2013 when she was just 7 years old. The girl had kept quiet about it for years until finally confiding in Princess.
Princess claimed that when the girl finally revealed what had happened years earlier, she set up a trap. She installed CCTV cameras in her home and invited Baba Ijesha over, leaving him alone with the girl while monitoring from her phone.
The CCTV footage allegedly captured Baba Ijesha acting inappropriately with the minor. When Princess saw what was happening on her phone, she rushed home and confronted him.
The Arrest:
Three days after Princess’s report, on April 22, 2021, the Lagos State Police Command arrested Baba Ijesha. Police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi announced:
“The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a popular Nollywood actor, Olarenwaju James (Omiyinka), aka Baba Ijesha, 48, for defiling a minor. The case of defilement was reported on April 19, 2021… Based on preliminary findings, the suspect started sexually assaulting the victim, 14, since she was seven years old. The suspect confessed to the crime and was also captured by a CCTV camera.”
The Public Reaction: Nollywood Divides
The allegations and arrest sparked one of the most divisive controversies in Nollywood history.
Those Who Believed the Victim:
Actress Iyabo Ojo became one of the most vocal advocates for the victim. She publicly condemned Baba Ijesha, called for his prosecution, and stood firmly with Princess throughout the ordeal.
Many Nigerian women, child rights activists, and celebrities rallied behind Princess and the victim, demanding justice and using the case to highlight broader issues of child sexual abuse.
Those Who Defended Baba Ijesha:
Actor Yomi Fabiyi became Baba Ijesha’s most prominent defender. He questioned the circumstances of the arrest, raised concerns about the CCTV setup (calling it entrapment), and insisted Baba Ijesha deserved fair treatment and due process.
Veteran actress Mama Rainbow also defended him, drawing heavy criticism for supporting someone accused of child sexual assault.
The Controversy Over “Oko Iyabo”:
Yomi Fabiyi directed and released a film called “Oko Iyabo” that was widely seen as telling Baba Ijesha’s side of the story. The film sparked outrage, with many accusing Fabiyi of mocking the victim and trivializing child sexual assault. Netflix even removed some of Fabiyi’s content in response to the backlash.
The Legal Battle: Court Proceedings
Arraignment:
Baba Ijesha was arraigned on June 24, 2021, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court.
He faced multiple charges including sexual assault by penetration of a child, indecent treatment of a child, and attempted sexual assault.
The Defense:
Baba Ijesha was represented by 2 Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) and a total of 17 lawyers – an unusually large legal team that suggested serious resources being deployed for his defense.
In his testimony, Baba Ijesha claimed he was acting a script, that the entire scenario in Princess’s house was a setup, and that he was being framed. He denied any inappropriate contact with the minor.
His lawyers argued:
- He was tortured into confessing without legal representation
- The CCTV setup constituted entrapment
- The victim was coached
- There were inconsistencies in Princess’s account
The Prosecution’s Evidence:
The prosecution presented:
- CCTV footage from Princess’s home
- Medical evidence that the victim had been penetrated (though not recently)
- Forensic psychological evaluation of the victim
- Testimony from Princess and others
- Baba Ijesha’s initial confession (which he later recanted)
Medical Findings:
A doctor testified that medical examination showed the victim had been penetrated at some point, though the incident was not recent. This corroborated claims about the 2013 assault when she was 7 years old.
Additional Allegations:
During the trial, another woman came forward with allegations against Baba Ijesha, though details of her claims weren’t fully publicized.
July 14, 2022: The Verdict That Shocked Many
On July 14, 2022, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo delivered the verdict. She found Baba Ijesha guilty on some counts and sentenced him to 16 years imprisonment.
The Sentence Breakdown:
The judge sentenced him to:
- 5 years for sexual assault by penetration of a child
- 3 years for attempting to commit sexual assault
- Additional years for related charges
However, the sentences were to run concurrently, meaning he would effectively serve 5 years, not 16 years total.
The Judge’s Reasoning:
Justice Taiwo stated that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. She found the CCTV evidence credible, the victim’s testimony consistent, and rejected Baba Ijesha’s claim that he was merely acting a script.
Prison Years: Three Years Behind Bars
From July 2022 to November 2025, Baba Ijesha served time in prison. During this period:
Health Concerns:
In July 2022, shortly after his conviction, reports emerged that Baba Ijesha was in poor health and hospitalized within the prison system. He reportedly cried out about his declining health conditions.
Appeals Process:
His legal team filed appeals challenging both the conviction and sentence, arguing procedural irregularities, improper evidence handling, and questioning the victim’s age and whether certain legal thresholds for the charges were properly met.
Public Statements:
Princess and Iyabo Ojo occasionally made statements reinforcing their position that justice had been served.
Yomi Fabiyi and other defenders maintained their belief in his innocence and called for his release, citing what they saw as flaws in the trial.
November 14, 2025: Freedom and Vindication?
Yesterday, November 14, 2025, after spending over three years in custody, Baba Ijesha was released from prison following an Appeal Court decision.
What the Appeal Court Found:
According to Yomi Fabiyi’s announcement:
- The Appeal Court cleared Baba Ijesha of allegations related to defilement
- The court found issues with aspects of the lower court’s judgment
- The appellate court’s decision effectively vindicated him on the most serious charges
Yomi Fabiyi’s Statement:
“You are now officially FREE AND OUT. Baba Ijesha is not just back but BETTER. I am also happy you were cleared by the APPEAL COURT of ever having sex/defile any child/minor. The 7-year-old story is a charade. We live in a terrible world, where sentiments and wickedness rise above the rule of law and truth.”
What This Means:
The Appeal Court’s decision appears to have overturned or significantly modified the conviction, though complete details of the appellate judgment are still emerging.
For Baba Ijesha’s supporters, this vindicates their long-held belief that he was wrongly convicted.
For the victim’s advocates, this represents a failure of the justice system to protect children and hold perpetrators accountable.
The Broader Questions: What This Case Reveals
The Baba Ijesha biography case raises profound questions about Nigerian society:
About Child Protection:
- How do we protect children when cases become publicized and politicized?
- What constitutes proper evidence collection versus entrapment?
- How do we balance the rights of the accused with protecting alleged victims?
About Celebrity and Justice:
- Does celebrity status influence judicial outcomes?
- Should popular opinion influence legal proceedings?
- How do we ensure fair trials when social media has already reached verdicts?
About Evidence and Process:
- Was the CCTV setup legal evidence or entrapment?
- Were proper procedures followed in the arrest and interrogation?
- Did the initial trial court properly weigh all evidence?
About Gender and Power:
- Why do some automatically believe accusers while others automatically defend accused celebrities?
- How do power dynamics between adults and children play into these cases?
- What role does misogyny play in dismissing sexual assault allegations?
Where Do We Stand Now?
As of November 15, 2025, here’s what we know for certain:
Facts:
- Baba Ijesha was arrested in April 2021 for alleged sexual assault of a minor
- He was convicted and sentenced to 16 years (5 years concurrent) in July 2022
- He served over 3 years in prison
- An Appeal Court cleared him yesterday, November 14, 2025
- He is now a free man
What Remains Contested:
- Whether he actually committed the alleged crimes
- Whether the initial conviction was just or flawed
- Whether the Appeal Court’s decision represents justice or a miscarriage of justice
- What this means for the victim and her healing
- Whether Baba Ijesha can or should return to acting
The Bottom Line: A Career and Legacy in Ruins
Regardless of the Appeal Court’s decision, Baba Ijesha’s career and reputation have been irreparably damaged. Three and a half years in prison, the stigma of conviction for child sexual assault (even if now overturned), and the intense public scrutiny mean his life will never return to what it was.
For those who believe he was guilty, his release represents injustice and a failure to protect children.
For those who believe he was innocent, his conviction and imprisonment represent a miscarriage of justice fueled by social media mob mentality.
The truth, as evidenced by the conflicting court decisions, may be more complex than either side wants to acknowledge.
What’s certain is that a 14-year-old girl made allegations that destroyed a 40-year acting career, led to a conviction, three years of imprisonment, and now a reversal on appeal. Someone’s life was deeply harmed – whether that’s the alleged victim, the accused actor, or both is what Nigeria continues to debate.
At 53 years old, having spent his early 50s in prison, Baba Ijesha faces an uncertain future. Can he return to acting? Will audiences accept him? Will producers hire him? These questions remain unanswered as news of his release is still breaking.
This biography will be updated as more information about the Appeal Court decision and Baba Ijesha’s plans emerges.
