Nollywood actor Olarenwaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has reportedly regained his freedom after the Court of Appeal overturned his conviction for sexually assaulting a minor.
The actor was arrested in 2021 and, in July 2022, was sentenced to 16 years in prison by the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja after being found guilty on several counts involving the assault of a 14-year-old girl.
A widely circulated — though yet-to-be independently verified — video obtained on Saturday shows the comic actor seated inside a vehicle shortly after his release. In the clip, he appears relieved and mentions that he needs rest.
In a brief phone conversation captured in the footage, the man believed to be Baba Ijesha is heard saying in Yoruba: “Apase, I’m out… I just came out. I want to relax. I just want to leave here, so I decided to inform you. Thank you for supporting me. I will call you.”
