The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency has confirmed that Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has been added to the Lagos State Sex Offenders Register after completing his jail term for sexually assaulting a minor.
Baba Ijesha was convicted in 2021 for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and subsequently sentenced to prison. A video that surfaced on Saturday showed the actor looking relieved as he sat in a vehicle shortly after being released, stating that he needed to rest.
The Lagos State Government’s update followed reports falsely claiming that the Court of Appeal had cleared the actor of all charges. The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), dismissed the claims, describing them as “false, misleading and irresponsible.” He stressed that Baba Ijesha’s conviction remains valid.
In a statement shared by the Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency on X on Sunday, the government reaffirmed Pedro’s position, quoting him as saying: “Mr Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child.”
Pedro warned that the assertions being circulated by actor Yomi Fabiyi were “wholly untrue and capable of alarming the public.” He urged Lagos residents and the wider public to disregard the misleading reports and cautioned Fabiyi—and any platform promoting the claims—to desist immediately.
The agency further confirmed that, in accordance with Section 37 of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency Law 2021, Baba Ijesha’s name has been formally 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,” the agency stated.
