The Lagos State Government has officially added Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, to the Lagos State Sex Offenders Register after he completed his prison term for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
The actor, whose conviction in 2021 triggered widespread public debate on safeguarding minors, was released from custody recently. An unverified video circulating online on Saturday appeared to show him seated inside a vehicle shortly after his release, looking relieved and stating that he needed rest.
Okay News reports that the authenticity of the footage has not been independently confirmed.
As discussions resurfaced online, Lagos State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for the Ministry of Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, issued a firm clarification addressing claims that the actor had been cleared by the Court of Appeal.
Pedro described the circulating narrative as “false, misleading and irresponsible,” insisting that the conviction remains valid.
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency further reinforced this in a post shared on X, quoting the Attorney-General as saying: “Mr Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child.”
Pedro also criticised assertions being circulated by actor Yomi Fabiyi, calling them “wholly untrue and capable of alarming the public.”
Okay News reports that the Attorney-General urged Lagos residents and the wider public to disregard the misinformation and warned Fabiyi, as well as platforms repeating the claims, to desist immediately.
According to the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency, the actor’s name has now been formally entered into the state’s database.
The agency stated, “In line with Section 37 of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law 2021, his name has been duly entered into the Lagos State Sex Offenders Register. This measure supports ongoing efforts to protect minors, strengthen accountability and ensure that accurate information is available to the public.”
