Appeal Victory: Baba Ijesha Walks Free After Three Years

Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has reportedly regained his freedom after spending more than three years in prison, following what appears to be a successful appeal challenging his 2022 conviction for sexually assaulting a minor.

The news was broken on Friday by Actor and long-time associate, Yomi Fabiyi, who announced on Instagram that the Appeal Court had cleared the embattled comedian of allegations of child defilement. Fabiyi described the judgment as a vindication, insisting the controversial case was “a charade.”

“You are now officially free and out,” Fabiyi wrote. “I am also happy you were cleared by the appeal court of ever having sex with or defiling any child.”

As at press time, Global Mirror News had not independently confirmed the appellate court ruling, as no certified judgment or official statement had been released.

Baba Ijesha was arrested in April 2021 and faced a six-count charge, including indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, and attempted sexual assault by penetration.

On July 14, 2022, he was convicted and handed a 16-year concurrent sentence, expected to keep him in prison for five years.

In April 2024, he approached the Appeal Court, arguing he had been framed and that the incident in question was a “scripted act” orchestrated by a colleague.

Fabiyi’s announcement suggests his appeal succeeded, but the public awaits official court confirmation to clarify the decision’s scope and implications.