Baba Ijesha was not exonerated - Lagos AG cautions against fabrications
Table of Contents
Lawal Pedro, SAN, the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, has refuted rumors that Nollywood star Olanrewaju James, popularly known as
Baba Ijesha, was freed because the Court of Appeal had cleared him.Pedro characterized the statements as reckless, deceptive, and untrue.
Speaking to reporters in Lagos on Sunday, the Attorney General voiced alarm over a social media post by actor Yomi Fabiyi, who claimed that Baba Ijesha had been cleared of all charges, including those pertaining to the sexual assault of a minor.
Pedro reportedly cautioned that the allegations constituted a "gross misrepresentation of court proceedings and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public."
According to him, the explanation was required when Fabiyi asserted that the appellate court rejected the case as a "charade" and found the actor not guilty of defiling a minor.
Pedro gave a summary of the case, pointing out that on July 14, 2022, the Lagos State High Court convicted Baba Ijesha of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child in relation to events that took place in 2021.
He received concurrent sentences of three and five years, respectively.
He mentioned that the Court of Appeal rendered a decision on the actor's appeal of the conviction on June 28, 2024.
Pedro gave a summary of the case, pointing out that on July 14, 2022, the Lagos State High Court convicted Baba Ijesha of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child in relation to events that took place in 2021.
He received concurrent sentences of three and five years, respectively.
He mentioned that the Court of Appeal rendered a decision on the actor's appeal of the conviction on June 28, 2024.
The court upheld the conviction and sentence for the 2021 sexual assault, but it dismissed accusations pertaining to alleged offenses from 2013 to 2014.
Baba Ijesha went to the Supreme Court, Pedro continued, but on May 29, 2025, his appeal was dismissed due to his incompetence.
On October 9, 2025, a subsequent request for authorization to submit a new appeal was also denied. Consequently, the Court of Appeal's decision is nonetheless final and fully operative.
The Attorney-General emphasized that the actor's release was not due to his discharge, acquittal, or clearance of any wrongdoing, but rather to the fact that he fulfilled his prison sentence as upheld by the appellate court.
Baba Ijesha went to the Supreme Court, Pedro continued, but on May 29, 2025, his appeal was dismissed due to his incompetence.
On October 9, 2025, a subsequent request for authorization to submit a new appeal was also denied. Consequently, the Court of Appeal's decision is nonetheless final and fully operative.
The Attorney-General emphasized that the actor's release was not due to his discharge, acquittal, or clearance of any wrongdoing, but rather to the fact that he fulfilled his prison sentence as upheld by the appellate court.
Pedro stated, "Mr. Olanrewaju James was never exonerated of sexual assault or the indecent treatment of a child," adding that Fabiyi's claims were unfounded and had the potential to incite unnecessary public alarm.
He warned Fabiyi and the media outlets spreading the false information to stop right once and asked the public to ignore the false stories.
The Ministry of Justice "will not hesitate to prosecute anyone found publishing false information with the intent to cause fear or alarm," which is a crime covered by Section 39 of the Lagos Criminal Law, Pedro added.
He warned Fabiyi and the media outlets spreading the false information to stop right once and asked the public to ignore the false stories.
The Ministry of Justice "will not hesitate to prosecute anyone found publishing false information with the intent to cause fear or alarm," which is a crime covered by Section 39 of the Lagos Criminal Law, Pedro added.
Post a Comment