The Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), has dismissed reports suggesting that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, was exonerated by the Court of Appeal.
Pedro described the viral claims as “false, misleading, and irresponsible,” warning that they misrepresent the facts of the case and could mislead the public.
Speaking with journalists in Lagos on Sunday, the Attorney-General expressed concern over a social media post by actor Yomi Fabiyi later republished by an online platform which alleged that the appellate court had absolved Baba Ijesha of all allegations, including sexual offences against a minor.
Pedro clarified that the narrative being circulated was a distortion of the court’s findings. He noted that Fabiyi’s assertion that the Court of Appeal had declared the entire case a “charade” was entirely untrue.
He recounted the legal timeline, stating that the Lagos State High Court convicted Baba Ijesha on July 14, 2022, for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child over acts committed in 2021, and sentenced him to five and three years’ imprisonment, respectively, to run concurrently.
According to him, when the case went to the Court of Appeal, the court only set aside convictions relating to allegations from 2013–2014. It, however, upheld the convictions and sentences tied to the 2021 sexual assault offences.
Pedro added that Baba Ijesha’s subsequent attempt to challenge the ruling at the Supreme Court failed, as the apex court struck out his appeal on May 29, 2025, for incompetence. A later request for permission to file another appeal was also rejected on October 9, 2025.
He stressed that Baba Ijesha’s release resulted solely from the completion of his prison term as affirmed by the Court of Appeal not because he had been discharged or acquitted.
“Mr. Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child,” Pedro said, warning that the claims being spread by Fabiyi and others were baseless and could cause unnecessary panic.
He urged the public to ignore the misinformation and advised those sharing the false report including Fabiyito desist.
Pedro further stated that the Ministry of Justice may consider initiating criminal action against anyone persistently publishing misleading information intended to cause fear or alarm, noting that such conduct is punishable under Section 39 of the Lagos Criminal Law.
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