Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), has refuted widespread reports.
These are claims that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was released because the Court of Appeal had cleared him of wrongdoing.
Pedro described the circulating claims as false, misleading, and highly irresponsible.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Sunday, the Attorney-General expressed concern over a social media post by actor Yomi Fabiyi, who alleged that Baba Ijesha had been acquitted of all charges.
Theses includes the sexual assault of a minor.
According to Pedro, such claims amount to a serious distortion of judicial proceedings and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public.
Also, he clarified that Fabiyi’s assertions were entirely inaccurate, hence the need for an official correction.
Providing a detailed timeline, Pedro recalled that on 14 July 2022, the Lagos State High Court convicted Baba Ijesha of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child relating
The incidents took place in 2021.
The Sentencing
The actor was sentenced to five years and three years respectively, to run concurrently.
He further explained that although the Court of Appeal, on 28 June 2024, overturned charges connected to alleged offences from 2013 and 2014.
Also, it upheld both the conviction and the sentence for the 2021 sexual assault.
Pedro stated that Baba Ijesha then appealed to the Supreme Court; however, the appeal was struck out on 29 May 2025 on the grounds of incompetence.
A subsequent application seeking leave to file a fresh appeal was also dismissed on 9 October 2025.
With the appellate court’s verdict standing, Pedro emphasised that Baba Ijesha regained his freedom solely because he had completed his prison term, not because he was acquitted or exonerated.
“Mr Olanrewaju James was never cleared of sexual assault or the indecent treatment of a child,” Pedro stressed,
Also, he noted that Fabiyi’s claims were baseless and capable of causing unnecessary public agitation.
He urged members of the public to disregard the false reports and cautioned Fabiyi, along with media outlets circulating the misinformation, to desist immediately.
Pedro warned further that the Ministry of Justice will prosecute anyone found spreading false information with intent to cause fear or alarm.
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Also, he stated that it is an offence punishable under Section 39 of the Lagos Criminal Law.
