No Acquittal for Baba Ijesha, Says Lagos Attorney-General

The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro, SAN, has dismissed reports claiming that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was “cleared” by the Court of Appeal. Pedro described the trending narrative as false, misleading and irresponsible, warning that it dangerously distorts the judicial record.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos on Sunday, the Attorney-General said his office was disturbed by a social media post authored by actor Yomi Fabiyi and later republished by an online platform, alleging that the appellate court had exonerated Baba Ijesha of all sexual-offence convictions involving a minor.

Pedro said such claims had no basis in fact and were capable of confusing the public on a sensitive criminal matter.

The Attorney-General explained that the clarification became necessary after Fabiyi asserted that the Court of Appeal had invalidated the entire case and described it as a “charade.”

He said the assertions were entirely untrue.

“There was no clearance at any level of the judicial process,” Pedro stated.

He outlined the full litigation journey, beginning with the High Court judgment of July 14, 2022, where Baba Ijesha was convicted for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child over incidents that occurred in 2021. He was sentenced to five years and three years respectively, to run concurrently.

Pedro stressed that the Court of Appeal judgment delivered on June 28, 2024, did not acquit the actor.

“While the court set aside the alleged offences said to have occurred in 2013–2014, it upheld the conviction and sentence for the 2021 sexual assault charges,” he said.

He added that Baba Ijesha proceeded to the Supreme Court, but his appeal was struck out on May 29, 2025, for incompetence.

A subsequent motion seeking leave to file a fresh appeal was dismissed by the apex court on October 9, 2025, leaving the Court of Appeal judgment fully in force.

Pedro explained that the actor’s release was strictly because he had completed the full term of imprisonment affirmed by the Court of Appeal, not because the courts had absolved him.

“Mr Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child,” the Attorney-General emphasised.

He warned that public figures must not mislead Nigerians on sensitive legal matters.

Pedro cautioned Yomi Fabiyi and any media outlet amplifying the claims to desist immediately, warning that the publication of false statements capable of causing fear or alarm constitutes a criminal offence under Section 39 of the Lagos Criminal Law.

“The Office of the Attorney-General will not hesitate to initiate criminal proceedings should this misinformation persist,” he said.

He urged the public to disregard the misleading reports and reiterated the state government’s commitment to child protection, strict enforcement of criminal convictions, and ensuring accurate public understanding of court decisions.