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 sexual assault of a minor.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Sunday, Pedro described circulating reports — particularly claims by actor Yomi Fabiyi — as “false, misleading, and irresponsible.” Fabiyi had alleged that Baba Ijesha regained freedom after the Court of Appeal dismissed the sexual abuse case and exonerated him.

Pedro firmly refuted this account, stressing that no court at any point cleared Baba Ijesha of the offences for which he was convicted.

According to him, the Lagos State High Court had, on July 14, 2022, convicted Baba Ijesha for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child over incidents that occurred in 2021, sentencing him to five and three years respectively, to run concurrently.

He noted that although the Court of Appeal, Lagos Division, on June 28, 2024, set aside earlier convictions relating to alleged offences between 2013 and 2014, it upheld in full the 2021 conviction and sentence for sexual assault.

Pedro added that the conviction remained valid after a subsequent appeal to the Supreme Court was struck out on May 29, 2025, for incompetence. A final application seeking leave to file a fresh appeal was also dismissed on October 9, 2025.

“With these decisions, the judgment of the Court of Appeal — which affirmed the 2021 conviction — remains intact,” he said.

Pedro clarified that Baba Ijesha’s recent release was solely because he had completed the prison term imposed by the court, 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. His release followed the expiration of his sentence, nothing more,” the Attorney-General stated.

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