Convicted Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has rejected claims that he is a paedophile or rapist, insisting he was lured with food and money prior to the incident that led to his imprisonment.
The actor made the remarks during a Monday interview with veteran broadcaster Yinka Ayefele on Fresh FM, following the circulation of a separate viral interview with actress Biola Adebayo.
Responding to allegations that he confessed in a viral video to sexually assaulting a minor, Baba Ijesha said, “They said I used car key to disflower the minor.” When pressed for details, he declined, stating that his side of the story will be presented in an upcoming movie.
Addressing questions about being lured with food, he said, “Gluttony is also part of it and the proposed money as well. I do not like to snub or disrespect ladies, which is why I agreed to the role. That was how it happened, and God is my witness.”
Baba Ijesha maintained that he did not commit the offence for which he was jailed. “I am not a paedophile, I am not a rapist. It was destiny that punished me. I do not know the meaning of rapist, paedophile, until the controversy,” he said.
Recounting the events in his newly released song, Eni Waye Daran, the actor alleged that he was invited under the pretext of a movie role. He claimed that his host, Damilola Adekoya, also known as Princess, told him she was preparing his favourite meal—pounded yam, crayfish, egusi soup with bush meat—before the incident on April 21, 2021.
“She had earlier told me about an acting job… but I never knew it was Kirikiri and Panti prison,” he said. He added that upon arrival, he met individuals introduced as a film crew and began rehearsing with a young girl, believing it was part of a movie production.
“When I got to her house, I met some people there… I started rehearsing according to what the alleged director told me, not knowing it was a lie; there was no movie anywhere; it was all set up,” he said. The situation escalated when others accused him of misconduct. “I never knew they had already ganged up against me… One of them even said she would make sure I don’t come out alive,” he added.
Baba Ijesha also expressed disappointment with colleagues in the entertainment industry, describing the incident as a betrayal.
Recall that, a High Court sitting in Ikeja convicted the actor in July 2022 for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child, sentencing him to five years and three years, respectively, to run concurrently.
Following controversies over his release, the Lagos State Government clarified that he was not acquitted but released after serving his sentence. The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, confirmed that the Court of Appeal only set aside some earlier convictions but upheld the 2021 sexual assault ruling.
“Mr. Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child,” Pedro said, adding that the actor’s release was solely based on completion of his jail term. Baba Ijesha’s name has also been added to the Lagos State sex offenders’ register.