The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), has debunked widespread claims that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was acquitted of all charges related to the sexu@l assault of a minor.
On Saturday, November 15, actor Yomi Fabiyi announced online that the Court of Appeal had dismissed Baba Ijesha’s case and cleared him of wrongdoing, a claim that stirred confusion and heated reactions across social media.
However, speaking to journalists in Lagos on Sunday, Pedro described the circulating reports as false, misleading, and irresponsible, stressing that such misinformation distorts judicial facts and misleads the public.
“No such clearance occurred at any stage of the judicial process”, Pedro said firmly.
Pedro clarified that Baba Ijesha’s recent release from prison has nothing to do with exoneration. The actor completed the full term of imprisonment imposed on him for the 2021 sexu@l assault case, which remains upheld by the Court of Appeal.
He explained that the High Court of Lagos State had, on July 14, 2022, convicted Baba Ijesha on two counts which are sexu@l assault (5 years) and indecent treatment of a child (3 years). The sentences were to run concurrently.
While the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on June 28, 2024, set aside earlier convictions linked to alleged offences between 2013 and 2014, it fully upheld the conviction and sentence for the 2021 sexual assault incident.
Pedro also revealed a timeline of the convict’s failed attempts to overturn the judgment: The first appeal to the Supreme Court was struck out on May 29, 2025, for incompetence. A subsequent motion seeking permission to file a fresh appeal was dismissed on October 9, 2025.
“The Court of Appeal judgment, which affirmed the 2021 conviction, remains fully intact”, he stated.
He emphasised that Baba Ijesha was not discharged, was not acquitted, and was not cleared of the sexual assault offences.
“Mr. Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexu@l assault and indecent treatment of a child”, Pedro reiterated.
Pedro urged the public to rely on verified legal records rather than online commentaries or sensational claims. He also reminded commentators that misrepresenting judicial outcomes can harm victims, mislead citizens, and undermine trust in the justice system.