Popular Yoruba actor, Mr. Olanrewaju Omiyinka, widely known as Baba Ijesha, has officially been released from prison. The announcement was made by his fellow actor and close associate, Yomi Fabiyi, via Instagram on Friday. Fabiyi confirmed that the embattled actor “officially regained his freedom” after the Court of Appeal cleared him of charges.

Baba Ijesha had initially been sentenced by a Lagos High Court on July 14, 2022, to 16 years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor. His jail term was structured to run concurrently, resulting in a cumulative five years behind bars. However, in April 2024, Baba Ijesha challenged his conviction at the Court of Appeal, asserting that he had been set up. He contended that his actions captured in the viral CCTV footage were part of a “script” allegedly provided to him by his colleague, Damilola Adekoya, also known as Princess, who is the minor’s foster mother.

The case, which gained significant traction and went viral in 2021, ignited widespread outrage across the nation and sparked intense debates within the Nollywood community and on social media platforms. In his celebratory Instagram post featuring Baba Ijesha’s picture, Yomi Fabiyi declared, “You are now officially FREE AND OUT. Baba Ijesha is not just back but BETTER.”

Fabiyi further used the platform to make a series of serious allegations against individuals involved in the original case. He claimed that the Appeal Court found no evidence suggesting that Baba Ijesha had defiled the minor. Additionally, Fabiyi alleged that some individuals implicated in the case had manipulated the minor’s age and were driven by personal vendetta. He also pointed out that others who had been arrested during the investigation were subsequently released, despite facing accusations of inappropriate conduct. Fabiyi accused the complainant, Princess, of negligence and grooming, and cited medical tests that reportedly indicated sexual activity involving the minor after Baba Ijesha’s arrest, suggesting that the actor was not responsible for the alleged assault.