Nollywood actor and producer Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, opened up recently about his time in prison, swearing his reason for being tried and consequently serving jail time was all a setup.
This new twist in confession has everyone talking about his case again.
What Landed Him in Jail Back in 2021-2022
It all kicked off in April 2021 when a CCTV video went viral showing Baba Ijesha in a compromising situation casually sucking the fingers of the 7-year-old daughter of a Nigerian comedienne Damilola Adekoya also known as Princess in an uncomfortable way. 
Princess, who is the girl’s foster mother, reported it to the police right away. The charges were serious: six counts, including indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, and attempted defilement. The Lagos State High Court heard the case, and in July 2022, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo convicted him on four of those counts. He got 16 years total, but they ran concurrently, so it boiled down to about five years behind bars. The Appeal Court later upheld the conviction in 2024, confirming the indecent treatment and assault findings.
He served his time and was released late last year around November 2025 after completing the sentence.
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Why Is He Trending Again?
Baba Ijesha sat down recently on Biola Adebayo’s ‘Talk to B’ podcast, which gave him her platform to ‘clear the air’. He claimed the whole case was a setup by Princess, his former close friend who lured him to the house under the guise of a series production.
Baba Ijesha also denied being a paedophile or rapist, insisted the CCTV looked like a “rehearsal”, and said he was framed. He also threw in some personal jabs, mentioning Iyabo Ojo and how she’d once trusted him to watch her young kids, Priscilla and her brother, back in the day.
He also went on Yinka Ayefele’s radio programme after the podcast interview to continue with his ‘version’ of the story. In his words:
“Princess, who was my friend, called me and said she was preparing my favourite food: pounded yam, crayfish, and egusi soup with bush meat. She had earlier told me about an acting job, but I never knew it was Kirikiri and Panti prison. When I got to her house, I met some people there… I started rehearsing according to what the alleged director told me, not knowing it was a lie.“
“There was no movie anywhere; it was all set up. Gluttony is also part of it and the proposed money as well. I do not like to snub or disrespect ladies, which is why I agreed to the role. That was how it happened, and God is my witness. I am not a paedophile; I am not a rapist. It was destiny that punished me. They said I used the car key to deflower the minor… but my full side of the story will come out in the movie I’m planning.”
He basically painted himself as the victim of betrayal by a trusted close friend.
Princess, Iyabo Ojo, and Others React
This is where things get heated. After the podcast interview went viral, Princess did not hold back. She went live in tears, blasting Biola Adebayo for giving Baba Ijesha a platform to “spew” his side and re-traumatise everyone.
Princess called it wicked and insensitive, basically saying Biola betrayed the victims and the girl child by letting him spin the narrative without remorse. She’s been vocal since the original case, refusing bribes and pushing for justice, and this podcast felt like a slap.
Then there’s Iyabo Ojo, who Baba Ijesha name-dropped about the babysitting claim. Iyabo clapped back quick and firm in a video: “I have no problem with you sharing your story, but cease and desist from using my children as cheap bait.”
She set the record straight that she never left Priscilla and Festus alone with him; there were always nannies, her late mum, staff, stylists, and apprentices around her old Ilupeju spot. She said her kids were never in harm’s way like that and warned him not to drag them into his narrative. Iyabo even unfollowed Biola on IG after the episode.
Another woman whose name is unknown also made a video saying that Baba Ijesha should end it with the lies, as everyone is aware of why he went to jail.
Biola’s Apology
On the other side is Biola, who caught the biggest heat. Nigerians are dragging her for “platforming a convicted offender” and trying to humanise him. She deleted the full interview fast, posted a tearful apology video, and owned it: “I thought he was coming to apologise and move on… I am a mother, a Christian, and a rape survivor myself. I will never support a rapist or paedophile.”
She said sorry directly to Iyabo Ojo, her fans, and anyone hurt, explaining her show is for “saints and sinners” but admitting this one backfired big time.
Final Take
This new turn of event should serve as a reminder that sexual assault is not something to downplay, debate for entertainment, or twist to fit narratives. It’s a serious issue with real victims, real trauma, and lasting consequences. What makes this even more troubling is the contradiction.
Baba Ijesha was seen in a viral video admitting to his actions and apologising, yet now he’s resurfacing with claims that he was framed. This doesn’t just raise eyebrows about what kind of man he really is; it also undermines accountability and disrespects the gravity of the situation.
You can’t confess today and claim another story tomorrow, especially not with something as serious as sexual harassment.
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