Yomi Fabiyi Claims Baba Ijesha Cleared by Appeal Court Amid Controversy

Baba Ijesha

Nollywood actor and activist Yomi Fabiyi has stirred fresh debate online after posting a lengthy message on Instagram celebrating the release of actor Baba Ijesha and questioning the handling of his high-profile child sexual assault case.

Fabiyi, a long-time supporter of Baba Ijesha since his arrest in 2021, wrote, “You are now officially FREE AND OUT. Baba Ijesha is not just back but BETTER.” He further suggested that the Lagos Appeal Court had cleared the actor of the sexual assault allegations, describing the original case as a “charade.”

Baba Ijesha, whose real name is Olanrewaju James Omiyinka, was convicted in July 2022 for sexually assaulting a minor and sentenced to five years in prison after being found guilty on four counts of indecent treatment and sexual assault. The conviction was largely based on a CCTV recording from the home of comedian Damilola Adekoya (Princess), the victim’s foster mother.

In his post, Fabiyi raised several allegations against individuals involved in the case. He questioned the minor’s age at the time of the 2021 incident and suggested the case had been “weaponised” against the actor. He also claimed that Damola Adekola, a neighbour of Princess, was not prosecuted despite allegedly admitting to a sexual relationship with the minor.

Fabiyi further accused Princess of grooming, child pornography, and causing additional trauma to the minor by filming the pre-arranged encounter with Baba Ijesha. He emphasized that his human rights organization does not condone sexual abuse but remains committed to challenging what he described as selective justice.

While Fabiyi asserted that the appeal court’s ruling vindicated their stance, official details of the decision remain limited.

The case has continued to attract public attention, highlighting ongoing controversies and debates over high-profile child sexual abuse trials in Nigeria.