Convicted Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has denied being a paedophile or rapist, claiming he was lured with food and money prior to the incident that led to his imprisonment.
The actor made the claims during a Monday interview with veteran broadcaster Yinka Ayefele, on Fresh FM, days after a separate interview with actress Biola Adebayo went viral.
Responding to allegations that he confessed in a viral video to sexually assaulting a minor, Baba Ijesha said, “They said I used car key to disflower the minor.”
When pressed for clarification, he declined to give details, stating that his side of the story would be revealed in an upcoming movie.
During the interview, Ayefele queried his earlier claim that he was lured with food, asking if it suggested gluttony.
Responding, the actor said, “Gluttony is also part of it and the proposed money as well. I do not like to snub or disrespect ladies, which is why I agreed to the role. That was how it happened, and God is my witness.”
Baba Ijesha maintained that he did not commit the offence for which he was jailed.
“I am not a paedophile, I am not a rapist. It was destiny that punished me. I do not know the meaning of rapist, paedophile, until the controversy,” he said.
Recounting events leading to his arrest in his newly- released song, “Eni Waye Daran”, the actor alleged that he was invited under the pretext of a movie role, alleging that his host, Damilola Adekoya, also known as Princess said she is already preparing his favourite for him.
“The incident happened on April 21, 2021. Princess She Devil called me to say that she was preparing my favourite food, pounded yam, crayfish, egusi soup with bush meat,” he said.
“She had earlier told me about an acting job… but I never knew it was Kirikiri and Panti prison.”
He claimed that upon arriving at the residence, he met individuals introduced as a film crew and began rehearsing with a young girl, believing it was part of a movie production.
“When I got to her house, I met some people there… I started rehearsing according to what the alleged director told me, not knowing it was a lie, there was no movie anywhere; it was all set up,” he said.
According to him, the situation escalated when others entered the room and accused him of misconduct.
“I never knew they had already ganged up against me… One of them even said she would make sure I don’t come out alive,” he added.
Baba Ijesha also expressed disappointment with colleagues in the entertainment industry, describing the incident as a betrayal.
PUNCH Online had earlier reported that a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja convicted the actor in July 2022 for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child.
The court sentenced him to prison terms of five years and three years, respectively, to run concurrently, for offences related to the 2021 incident.
Following controversies over his release, the Lagos State Government clarified that he was not acquitted but released after serving his sentence.
The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, said the Court of Appeal only set aside some earlier convictions but upheld the 2021 sexual assault ruling.
“Mr. Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child,” Pedro said, adding that the actor’s release was solely based on completion of his jail term. The actor’s name has also been added into the Lagos State sex offenders’ register.
