Jailed popular Nollywood actor, Olarenwaju James, better known as Baba Ijesha, has reportedly been freed following the Court of Appeal judgment setting aside his conviction for the sexual assault of a minor.
Baba Ijesa was arrested in 2021 and, in July 2022, the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja sentenced him to 16 years’ imprisonment after he was convicted of multiple counts relating to the assault of a 14-year-old girl.
A viral video shows the comic actor sitting in a vehicle ostensibly after his release. He expressed relief at coming out of prison and said he needed rest.
Baba Ijesa can be heard in the video speaking Yoruba, thanking someone he called ”Apase”.
He said he called just before leaving the prison and that he wanted to relax. He promised to call the person back.
His friend, Yomi Fabiyi, also a popular Nollywood actor, published the news of his release, as well.
He had, on Friday, published the news of the alleged Appeal Court’s judgment on an Instagram post. He said the ruling had brought clarity to what he described as a mishandled case.
The actor said his friend was back and better.
