The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), has dismissed claims circulating online that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was freed after being “cleared” by the Court of Appeal.
Pedro, who spoke with journalists in Lagos on Sunday, described the reports — originally shared by actor Yomi Fabiyi and later reproduced by an online medium as “false, misleading and irresponsible.”
He said the claims amounted to a distortion of judicial records and were capable of misleading the public
Pedro clarified that, contrary to social media insinuations, the Court of Appeal did not exonerate Baba Ijesha of the sexual offences for which he was convicted in 2022.
He said, “Mr. Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child.”
The Attorney-General noted that the clarification followed Fabiyi’s assertion that the appellate court had declared the entire case a “charade.”
Pedro outlined the complete judicial trail of the case, July 14, 2022: The Lagos State High Court convicted Baba Ijesha for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child over incidents that occurred in 2021. He received sentences of five years and three years, to run concurrently.
June 28, 2024: The Court of Appeal set aside convictions related to alleged offences from 2013–2014, but upheld the conviction and sentence for the 2021 sexual assault.
May 29, 2025: Baba Ijesha’s appeal to the Supreme Court was struck out for incompetence.
October 9, 2025: His motion for leave to file a fresh appeal was dismissed, leaving the Court of Appeal judgment intact.
Pedro emphasised that the actor’s release was solely due to completing his term of imprisonment, not from any acquittal.
He criticised Yomi Fabiyi and others spreading the misinformation, warning that such actions could cause unnecessary fear and public confusion.
He said the Office of the Attorney-General would not hesitate to prosecute the publication of false news intended to alarm the public, citing Section 39 of the Lagos Criminal Law.
He urged the public to disregard the misleading reports and emphasised the state’s unwavering commitment to child protection and proper enforcement of criminal convictions.
Pedro reiterated that Lagos would continue to safeguard minors and ensure that judicial outcomes are accurately represented.
He added that no individual or platform should trivialise offences against children by circulating unverified claims.
