Nollywood actor Olarenwaju James, widely known as Baba Ijesha, has reportedly been released from prison after the Court of Appeal overturned his conviction for the sexual assault of a minor.
The actor was arrested in 2021 and, in July 2022, a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja sentenced him to 16 years in prison after finding him guilty on several charges related to the assault of a 14-year-old girl.
A widely shared but unverified video circulating on social media platforms on Saturday showed the comedian seated in a vehicle shortly after his alleged release, expressing relief and saying he needed rest.
The clip, reposted by multiple accounts across Facebook, Instagram and X (formerly Twitter), appeared to feature the actor celebrating his freedom, though independent verification of the footage has not been confirmed.
In a brief phone call captured in the video, he was heard saying in Yoruba, “Apase, I’m out… I just came out. I want to relax. I just want to leave here so I decided to inform you. Thank you for supporting me. I will call you.”
His colleague and friend, Yomi Fabiyi, also announced the reported Appeal Court judgment in an Instagram post on Friday, describing the ruling as one that brought clarity to what he considered a mishandled case.
Fabiyi stated that the decision “clears” the actor and urged both the public and authorities to treat sensitive allegations with caution.
“He is not just back but better,” he wrote, adding that the prolonged legal process highlighted the importance of fairness, due process, and the protection of rights in cases involving minors.
He emphasized that he remains committed to advocating for human rights and does not support any form of abuse.
“We never and will never condone or support any form of sexual abuse, especially involving children or minors. We will continue to champion justice and the protection of fundamental human rights,” he said.
