A popular and embattled actor, Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, who was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment for child defilement, has spent one year of his prison term at the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, Kirikiri, Lagos State.

He was convicted of the crime on July 14, 2022, and was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment on four of the six-count charge—indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration, and sexual assault by penetration— preferred against him.

Recall that James was arrested on April 22, 2021, and first appeared before Magistrate P.E. Nwaka of the Yaba Magistrate Court in Yaba, Lagos, on July 16, 2021.

The actor was later arraigned at the Special Offences and Domestic Violence Court in Ikeja, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, who eventually delivered the judgment. While reading her judgment, she said, “I hereby find the defendant guilty of count two to five, and he is discharged of counts one and six. The defendant is here by sentenced to five years imprisonment for count two, three years for count three, five years for count four, and three years for count five.”

The case generated a lot of attention and controversies. It also ‘divided’ the entertainment industry as some celebs supported comedian, Princess Adekoya, whose ward was the one defiled; while some empathised with Baba Ijesha.

Some of the people who were sympathetic to Baba Ijesha’s plight were Yomi Fabiyi, Bukky Black, and Lege Miami. On his part, Fabiyi maintained that the actor was ‘ambushed’ into the crime.

On the other hand, actresses, such as Iyabo Ojo Nkechi Blessing, vehemently supported Princess.

In an interview with our correspondent during the week, Fabiyi said, “First, it is difficult for me to deny knowing him. My non-governmental organisation decided to hear his side, do our own little investigation, and what we found out required us to give him a voice, as it looked like he was ‘ambushed into that misfortune’.

“There were too many questions begging for answers, as could be seen at the end of the trial, hence the appeal.”

Maintaining that he had been in constant communication with the beleaguered actor since he was committed to prison, Fabiyi said, “My first visit started from the second day he was sentenced to prison. I also ensure that I regular communicate with him in prison.”

He added, “I am not in shoes, but I am trying my best to keep his spirits high and get him not to think of suicide or any vendetta. When his father died (on May 13, 2023), it was a difficult moment.

“However, he is still bothered that the age of the girl was not proven with a birth certificate. The absence of some factors before a guilty verdict was passed gives him serious mental agony. He feels he has been unjustly punished.”

Most times during the trial, when Baba Ijesha appeared in court, he usually looked morose and dejected. On a particular day, he was seen clutching a Christian book titled, ‘How to Thrive in Perilous Times: Living Beyond the World System,’ written by Happy Caldwell.

Source: https://punchng.com/Baba-Ijesha-marks-one-year-in-prison-15-more-to-go

See what lack of self control have caused him? I hope Faber and other men out there will learn self control and not to be sleeping with everything inside the skirt

See how he was set up to destroy a blossoming career by evil women. No be every money you see for ground wey you go pick. But i thought the sentences are running concurrently. Is it actually 16years he will spend there?

For the same kpekus i dey bleep everyday for free' akpo a o

15 years more! Omo... What a waste! Lack of self control, not even with an adult, with a child.

Only God can save and Watch your step
God will help us all
Amen.

talented321:
For the same kpekus i dey bleep everyday' akpo a o

Neddstark:
See how he was set up to destroy a blossoming career by evil women. No be every money you see for ground wey you go pick. But i thought the sentences are running concurrently. Is it actually 16years he will spend there?

I hear he dated that actress but when he left her, she invoked the issue of the past ie that little girl to send him to jail.
My brother fear woman. Small lady can send grown man to jail.
About 8 years ago in my bar, the manager asked one loud, drinking guy for his payment, since he had been arguing with her staff. The guy shouted at her, that he will slap her. Guess what this calabar lady told him? She furiously walked towards him and told him "I go use my toto send you go jail" while she said it, she slapped her crouch area!
Hmmm, omo, the whole hall went silent. Even me weh de one corner, my jaw dropped. That customer making gra gra before, got up, applogised to her, make his payment instantly. The shock was too much!
Do you know what it means for woman to tell you she will use her toto to send you to jail? It means she will Bleep anybody, from dpo, station officer, ordinary police, bigman, judge, magistrate etc without giving a hoot, since she goes not have money, she will trade what she has to achieve her aim. Man in jail!
Kai, run ohhh!!!

Neddstark:
See how he was set up to destroy a blossoming career by evil women. No be every money you see for ground wey you go pick. But i thought the sentences are running concurrently. Is it actually 16years he will spend there?

I understand if it is 15 years, the actual calender will be around 5 years left. If the 16 years sentence is made up of several counts running concurrently, then it might be shorter than 5 years.

IconicR:
See what lack of self control have caused him? I hope Faber and other men out there will learn self control and not to be sleeping with everything inside the skirt

He's serving concurrent prison terms...they are running at the same time. Apparently, he has 4 years more since the longest is 5 years. I hope he learns his lesson while there.

IconicR:
See what lack of self control have caused him? I hope Faber and other men out there will learn self-control and not to be sleeping with everything inside the skirt

Self-control indeed.

Yes the best way to thrive in perilous times is by fleeing puna temptations

Damnnn niggar

Do the time moda fuckker

I hate men that can't control themselves

Any man way don first get sister or female relatives for house suppose fit dey control himself and rape should be disgusting to such man

Because our female relatives run around the house with their nakeddness..so our mind should be used to it

Lies! Lies!!

It’s not even up to five months this man has been in jail .

Just release the rapist so that we’ll know he’s out of jail than telling us these rubbish!!

This useless man should have been sentenced to death or life imprisonment but since we’re in Nigeria, he would be pampered.

The Nigerian court encourages rape in our society! Animals everywhere!!! Shior!!!

Chai, monitoring spirit

Men who have eyes & ears should learn from Baba Ijesha's plight.

You're neither infallible nor invincible.

Atleast he won't worry about buying petrol

Is Following

nepapole:
Atleast he won't worry about buying petrol

And the watery beans he's eating is from our Tax.

He is not serving anything or anyone

Bus serving that his uncontrollable prick.

Chai.

Ok....

So he was sentenced? No be small thing o.

I hope those who throw out false rape accusations receive similar treatments

Neddstark:
See how he was set up to destroy a blossoming career by evil women. No be every money you see for ground wey you go pick. But i thought the sentences are running concurrently. Is it actually 16years he will spend there?

Don't worry yourself, he will do half while you will complete the rest