Nollywood actor Olarenwaju Omiyinka, widely known as Baba Ijesha, has been freed from prison after the Court of Appeal overturned his conviction for sexually assaulting a minor.
According to PUNCH Online, Baba Ijesha was arrested in 2021, and in July 2022, the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja sentenced him to 16 years in prison after convicting him on multiple charges involving the assault of a 14-year-old girl.
A video obtained by our correspondent on Saturday shows the comic actor sitting in a vehicle shortly after his release, expressing relief and saying he needed rest.
In a brief phone conversation captured in the clip, he was heard saying in Yoruba, ”Apase, 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 his release, Nollywood actor and activist, Yomi Fabiyi, welcomed the Appeal Court’s judgment in a post on Instagram, saying the ruling had brought clarity to what he described as a mishandled case.
Fabiyi said the decision “clears” the actor and urged the public and authorities to handle sensitive allegations with care.
He is not just back but better,” Fabiyi wrote, adding that the lengthy legal battle underscored the need for “fairness, due process and protection of rights in all cases involving minors.”
He also maintained that as a human rights advocate, he stands against all forms of abuse.
“We never and will never condone or support any form of sexual abuse, let alone on children or minors.
He stated, “We will continue to advocate for justice and the protection of fundamental human rights.”
