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Nollywood actor and activist Yomi Fabiyi has once again made headlines following a detailed Instagram post on Friday, where he celebrated the release of fellow actor Baba Ijesha while raising serious allegations about the handling of the high-profile child sexual assault case.
Fabiyi, who has been an outspoken supporter of Baba Ijesha since his arrest in April 2021, announced in his post: “You are now officially FREE AND OUT. Baba Ijesha is not just back but BETTER.” He further claimed that the Lagos Appeal Court had cleared the actor of allegations that he sexually assaulted a minor, describing the original trial as a “charade.”
Baba Ijesha, whose real name is Olanrewaju James Omiyinka, was convicted in July 2022 by the Lagos Special Offences Court for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a minor. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison, although the sentences were to run concurrently, resulting in a five-year effective jail term. The conviction stemmed from a viral CCTV video that reportedly captured inappropriate behaviour at the home of comedian Damilola Adekoya, popularly known as Princess, who was the victim’s foster mother.
In his Instagram post, Fabiyi outlined several issues he believes indicate serious irregularities in the case. He claimed there was “no proof” that the victim was 14 years old at the time of the alleged incident and accused the original trial of being “weaponised” to target the actor. He also pointed to a man named Damola Adekola, identified as a neighbour and associate of Princess, alleging that he admitted to a sexual relationship with the minor yet was never prosecuted.
Fabiyi further accused Princess of grooming the victim, engaging in child pornography, and causing additional trauma to the minor by pre-arranging and recording the meeting with Baba Ijesha using hidden cameras. He stressed that his human rights organisation “never condones sexual abuse but will continue to fight selective justice and organised crime.”
According to Fabiyi, the appeal court’s ruling vindicated their position, although official details of the decision remain limited to the public. This development, he said, confirms what his supporters have long claimed: that the case was mishandled and certain actors within the trial manipulated proceedings for personal or public interests.
The Baba Ijesha case has remained one of the most widely discussed legal battles in Nigeria’s entertainment industry. The actor was first arrested in April 2021 following a CCTV recording that allegedly captured inappropriate conduct with the minor, who had previously experienced abuse at age seven. During the original trial, the Lagos Special Offences Court found him guilty on four of six counts but acquitted him of charges requiring proof of penetration.
Fabiyi’s post has reignited public discussion around high-profile child sexual abuse cases, highlighting concerns over selective justice, media influence, and the use of digital evidence in court proceedings. His supporters have praised him for standing by Baba Ijesha, while critics argue that his statements could potentially undermine ongoing public trust in the legal process.
The actor and activist concluded his post by reaffirming his commitment to pursuing what he describes as justice for his friend. “We will continue to expose the inconsistencies and fight for fair treatment for everyone involved,” Fabiyi wrote.
The controversy underscores the complexities surrounding the intersection of celebrity, law, and social media influence in Nigeria, and raises broader questions about transparency, accountability, and due process in sensitive legal matters.
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