The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, has dismissed viral claims suggesting that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, regained his freedom because he was cleared by the Court of Appeal.
Pedro described the circulating reports, sparked by a social media post from actor Yomi Fabiyi, as false, misleading, and irresponsible. Addressing journalists in Lagos on Sunday, he said the claim that the appellate court declared the actor innocent amounted to a deliberate distortion of judicial proceedings.
Fabiyi had alleged that Baba Ijesha was absolved of all wrongdoing, including the sexual assault of a minor. But Pedro said the assertions represented a “gross misrepresentation” of the court’s decisions and were capable of misleading the public.
The Attorney-General provided a detailed timeline of the case, reaffirming that Baba Ijesha was convicted by the Lagos State High Court on July 14, 2022, for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child related to incidents that occurred in 2021. He was sentenced to five years and three years respectively, to run concurrently.
Pedro explained that while the Court of Appeal delivered its judgment on June 28, 2024, overturning charges linked to alleged offences between 2013 and 2014, it affirmed both the conviction and sentence for the 2021 sexual assault.
He added that the actor’s attempt to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court failed twice, first when his appeal was struck out on May 29, 2025, and later when an application to file a fresh appeal was rejected on October 9, 2025. The appellate court’s decision therefore stands as final.
According to Pedro, Baba Ijesha’s release came solely because he completed the prison term upheld by the Court of Appeal, not because any court exonerated him.
“Mr Olanrewaju James was never exonerated of sexual assault or the indecent treatment of a child,” he stressed.
The Attorney-General urged the public to disregard the misleading claims and cautioned Fabiyi and others circulating the false information to desist immediately.
He also warned that the Ministry of Justice will not hesitate to prosecute individuals found spreading false information capable of causing fear or alarm, an offence punishable under Section 39 of the Lagos Criminal Law.
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