The Lagos State Attorney-General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, has forcefully debunked circulating reports that actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was released after being cleared of all charges by the Court of Appeal.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Sunday, Pedro described the narrative—alleging the appellate court exonerated Baba Ijesha of sexual offences involving a minor—as “false, misleading and irresponsible.
The Attorney-General stated that his office was alerted by a social media post by actor Yomi Fabiyi, which was subsequently reproduced by an online publication. The post claimed the Court of Appeal had “cleared” the convict of ever defiling a minor and that the entire case was a “charade.”
Pedro stressed that these statements represent a complete distortion of the judicial record and are capable of severely misleading the public. He emphasized that no such clearance occurred at any stage of the judicial process.
Baba Ijesha was convicted by the High Court of Lagos State for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child concerning incidents that occurred in 2021. He was sentenced to five years and three years respectively, to run concurrently.
The Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, delivered judgment on his appeal. While the court set aside convictions related to alleged offences from 2013–2014, it upheld the conviction and sentence for the 2021 sexual assault charges.
Baba Ijesha pursued a further appeal to the Supreme Court, which was struck out on May 29, 2025, on grounds of incompetence.
A subsequent motion for leave to file a fresh appeal was also dismissed on October 9, 2025, leaving the Court of Appeal judgment fully intact.
Pedro emphatically clarified that the convict’s recent release was solely because he had completed his full term of imprisonment as affirmed by the Court of Appeal—it was not because he was discharged or acquitted.
“Mr. Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child,” Pedro stated.
He urged Lagos residents and the wider public to disregard the false claims and cautioned Fabiyi, along with any platform amplifying the falsehood, to desist immediately.
The Attorney-General warned that his office would not hesitate to initiate criminal proceedings for the publication of false news with intent to cause fear or alarm, an offence under Section 39 of the Lagos Criminal Law, should the misinformation persist.
