The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, has refuted claims circulating on social media that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was acquitted of all charges involving sexual offences against a minor by the Court of Appeal.
The clarification comes after actor and filmmaker Yomi Fabiyi, on Friday, November 14, suggested that Baba Ijesha had been released from prison because the appellate court had dismissed his sexual assault case. Fabiyi went further to describe the case as a “charade” and claimed that the actor had been completely exonerated.
Addressing journalists in Lagos on Sunday, Pedro described these claims as false, misleading, and irresponsible. He emphasized that the narrative being spread was a gross misrepresentation of the judicial process and had the potential to mislead the public.
“No such clearance occurred at any stage of the judicial process,” Pedro stated firmly.
Baba Ijesha, a veteran Nollywood actor, was initially convicted by the High Court of Lagos State on July 14, 2022. The conviction related to sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child, linked to incidents that occurred in 2021. The court sentenced him to five years for sexual assault and three years for indecent treatment of a child, to run concurrently.
The case gained widespread attention due to the serious nature of the allegations, which involved a minor. Civil society groups and child rights organizations closely monitored the trial, while the public followed the developments across social media platforms.
Pedro clarified that while the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on June 28, 2024, set aside convictions relating to alleged offences from 2013 to 2014, it explicitly upheld the conviction and sentence for the 2021 sexual assault charges.
“The conviction was further solidified after a subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court was first struck out on May 29, 2025, on grounds of incompetence. A final motion for leave to file a fresh appeal was dismissed on October 9, 2025, thereby leaving the Court of Appeal judgment, which affirmed the 2021 conviction, fully intact,” Pedro explained.
The Attorney-General stressed that Baba Ijesha’s recent release from prison was solely because he had completed the full term of his sentence as affirmed by the Court of Appeal. He was not discharged or acquitted of any charges related to sexual offences.
“Mr Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child,” Pedro insisted.
This clarification comes amid growing public confusion, as some social media users misinterpreted the court proceedings, claiming that the actor had been cleared of wrongdoing. The Lagos State government has urged the public to rely on verified information from official sources rather than social media speculation.
The Baba Ijesha case has generated intense media coverage since the allegations first surfaced. Public debates have ranged from discussions about child protection in Nigeria’s entertainment industry to broader issues of accountability and justice in high-profile cases.
Child rights advocates have called on authorities to ensure that the case is clearly communicated to the public to prevent misinformation. “It is important that people understand the difference between being released after serving a sentence and being acquitted by a court,” said one rights activist.
Meanwhile, Yomi Fabiyi’s claims have sparked controversy among actors and the public. Some social media users supported his statements, while others criticized them for spreading false narratives that could undermine trust in Nigeria’s judicial system.
A Lagos-based legal practitioner noted, “Completion of a prison term does not imply acquittal. Acquittal requires the court to formally declare a person not guilty. In Baba Ijesha’s case, the courts have upheld the original conviction, and his release is a result of the sentence being served.”
The Lagos State Attorney-General’s office has reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency and proper communication regarding high-profile legal cases. Pedro urged journalists and the public to rely on accurate information from the judiciary and government statements.
The clarification is part of a broader effort to combat misinformation and maintain public confidence in Nigeria’s legal system. Authorities continue to monitor social media platforms for false narratives that could mislead the public or disrupt the administration of justice.
The Baba Ijesha case serves as a reminder of the importance of careful reporting and responsible use of social media when it comes to legal matters. While the actor has completed his prison term, the official records confirm that he was never acquitted of his 2021 sexual offences conviction.
As the story unfolds, Lagos State officials continue to highlight that the judicial system remains firm in holding individuals accountable for criminal acts, regardless of public opinion or social media narratives.
