Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has stirred fresh controversy after claiming that he did not know the meaning of “paedophile” until he was arrested in 2021 over the sexual assault case involving a minor.
The actor, who has consistently maintained his innocence, made the revelation during a recent interview with Agbaletu TV, insisting that he was not a paedophile.
“I am not a paedophile. I only got to know the word paedophile when I was arrested,” he said.
Baba Ijesha also recalled his days living in the home of veteran actor Adebayo Salami, popularly known as Oga Bello, where he said he lived alongside the actor’s daughters.
He described Oga Bello as a disciplined father who raised his children properly, adding that anyone who grew up in his household would learn valuable lessons about discipline and good upbringing.
According to him, the veteran actor placed a high value on education and maintained strict standards for his children.
Baba Ijesha’s comments come years after his conviction over the sexual assault of a minor in a case that attracted widespread public outrage.
A Lagos High Court sentenced him to 16 years in prison in July 2022 after convicting him on charges relating to the sexual abuse of a minor. The sentences were ordered to run concurrently.
The case began on June 24, 2021, when prosecutors filed six charges against him, including indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault and attempted sexual assault by penetration.
Despite his conviction, the actor continued to protest his innocence while in prison. In April 2024, he alleged that he had been set up and was merely acting according to a script provided by a colleague.
He was released in November 2025 after serving the custodial term applicable to his convictions.
His name was also added to the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency’s sexual offenders register in 2025.
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