The Lagos State Government has dismissed claims circulating on social media that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was exonerated by the Court of Appeal following his recent release from prison.
Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, the state’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, addressed journalists in Lagos on Sunday, describing the reports as false, misleading, and irresponsible. The clarification follows assertions by fellow actor Yomi Fabiyi, who claimed that the appellate court had cleared Baba Ijesha of all charges, including sexual offences involving a minor.
Pedro stated that his office was alarmed by Fabiyi’s social media post, which was later republished by online platforms. According to the Attorney-General, the narrative represents a complete distortion of judicial records and is capable of severely misleading the public.
“No such clearance occurred at any stage of the judicial process,” Pedro emphasized. “Mr. Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child.”
The Attorney-General provided a detailed breakdown of the case’s judicial journey. On July 14, 2022, the Lagos State High Court convicted Baba Ijesha for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child over incidents that occurred in 2021. The actor received concurrent sentences of five years and three years respectively.
While the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, in its June 28, 2024 judgment set aside convictions relating to alleged offences from 2013 to 2014, it unequivocally upheld the conviction and sentence for the 2021 sexual assault charges.
Baba Ijesha subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court, but the apex court struck out the appeal on May 29, 2025, citing incompetence. A final motion for leave to file a fresh appeal was dismissed on October 9, 2025, leaving the Court of Appeal judgment fully intact.
Pedro stressed that the actor’s release was solely because he had completed his full term of imprisonment as affirmed by the Court of Appeal, not because he was discharged or acquitted.
The Attorney-General warned Fabiyi and any platform amplifying the misinformation to desist immediately, noting that his office would not hesitate to initiate criminal proceedings for publication of false news with intent to cause fear or alarm under Section 39 of the Lagos Criminal Law.
Pedro reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to protecting children, enforcing criminal convictions, and ensuring accurate representation of judicial outcomes in the public domain.