I Was A Scapegoat In Prison – Baba Ijesha

Convicted Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has described his time in prison as bitter. He recently had his say during an interview on Agabletu TV, and fans have been reacting.

Stressing that he was made a scapegoat in jail, Baba Ijesha stated that the experience made him realize that prison is where prayers are answered most.

Reflecting on life behind bars months after his release, the moviestar warned young Nigerians to be careful in their dealings.

His words, “Youth should be careful in their dealings. What you think may not lead to prison may land you in prison.

My experience was bitter.

Bitter because I was a scapegoat. Do you know, many want people to learn a lesson from celebrities.

Some warders are more wicked than police. Those offices are different. Some deal with criminals. They don’t know who a celebrity is. They don’t listen to the radio or pay attention to anything. You can see those kinds of people. If it is time to cry, you will cry, and if it is time to laugh, you will laugh.

Do you know what I mean? Some people may think that those who travel abroad are actually in prison.

Let me shock you. I blocked someone after calling him many times, but he did not pick up. It was in my second month in prison; he told someone to call me. I was shocked.

There are about 65% there who are innocent. There is a guy there called No Case. Dear government, please. Some people are in Kirikiri Prison, some are in the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, and others are in Ikoyi. You need to hear their stories and see what they are going through.

Some of you judges and lawyers. You need to listen to their stories and see what is happening. I was also working for my country. I went there to ensure that things are properly investigated and that certain issues are addressed to make things easier for you. There are many people in that situation.

Do you know that prison is where prayer [is] answered most? People are praying in prison. People will continue praying until they pick a stone and cut themselves until blood is coming out. The person will lick the blood and tell God, ‘If I am guilty of [the] offence I am here for, let this, and this happen to me.’ But if I don’t know anything about it….

Many sudden deaths are from prison, and they don’t use knives. It is the power of prayer.

The person I called No Case. The person who put him there apologised before dying. And the No Case is still in prison.

I am telling powerful people that when you put someone in a position of authority, and they become overwhelmed by power or encounter certain problems, whether legal issues or otherwise, there are things you need to reconsider. That is why I said leaders should be considerate.”