Appeal Court frees Baba Ijesha…”He is back and better,” Actor Yomi Fabiyi confirms

Nollywood actor, Yomi Fabiyi, has officially confirmed the release of his colleague, Olanrewaju James Omiyinka a.k.a Baba Ijesha from prison following a judgement from Appeal court.

Recall that the actor was sentenced to a 16-year prison term at the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre in Lagos for the sexual assault of a minor.

Taking to his Instagram page, Fabiyi, who has been on the case before Baba Ijesha was sentenced, celebrates his colleague’s freedom.

He said, “You are now officially FREE AND OUT. Baba Ijesha is not just back but BETTER.

“I am also happy you were cleared by the APPEAL COURT of ever having sex/defile any child/minor. The 7-year-old story is a charade. We live in a terrible world, where sentiments and wickedness rise above the rule of law and truth.”

The actor’s statement comes after weeks of public attention surrounding Baba Ijesha’s case. Social media users and Nollywood fans have since reacted to the court’s decision, with discussions split between relief, criticism, and controversy

Baba Ijesha had faced serious allegations for allegedly defiling a minor. The Appeal Court ruling has now officially cleared him of all charges.

A State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, 14th of July, 2022, had sentenced Baba Ijesha to 16 years imprisonment for sexually assaulting a 14year old girl.

Hon. Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the State High Court of Lagos State, Ikeja Judicial Division delivered judgement in the case.

The defendant was earlier arraigned before the Court on the 24th of June, 2021 on a six-count charge of sexual assault by penetration (2014), indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault of (2011), indecent treatment of a child (2015), sexual assault (2015), and attempted sexual assault by penetration (2021)

The Lagos state Directorate of Pubic Prosecutions argued that the offences violated Sections 259, 135 and 261 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011 respectively; Sections 135, 263 and 262 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 respectively.

The prosecution presented six witnesses who testified against the defendant and tendered various evidence to corroborate the testifiers before the court.

The presiding judge, Hon. Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo held that the prosecution had successfully proven the charge of sexual assault of a minor and indecent treatment of a minor against the defendant.

The judge, however, discharged and acquitted him of count one and six which were sexual assault by penetration (which took place in 2014) and attempted sexual assault by penetration, which took place in 2021).

The defendant was found guilty and sentenced to five years imprisonment for count two, three years for count three, five years for count four and three years for count five, taking effect from 14th of July, 2022. The sentences were to run concurrently.

However, dissatisfied with the judgment, he had gone on appeal.