Convicted Nollywood actor Baba Ijesha has denied being a paedophile or rapist, insisting he was enticed with food and money before the incident that led to his imprisonment.
He made the claims during a Monday interview with veteran broadcaster Yinka Ayefele on Fresh FM, coming days after another interview with actress Biola Adebayo gained widespread attention.
Responding to allegations that he admitted in a viral video to sexually assaulting a minor, Baba Ijesha said, “They said I used car key to disflower the minor.”
When asked to elaborate, he declined, stating that his full account would be revealed in an upcoming movie.
During the interview, Ayefele questioned his earlier claim of being lured with food , asking whether it implied gluttony.
In response, the actor said, “Gluttony is also part of it and the proposed money as well. I do not like to snub or disrespect ladies, which is why I agreed to the role. That was how it happened, and God is my witness.”
Baba Ijesha maintained that he did not commit the offence that led to his conviction.
“I am not a paedophile, I am not a rapist. It was destiny that punished me. I do not know the meaning of rapist, paedophile, until the controversy,” he said.
Recounting the events leading to his arrest in his recently released song, “Eni Waye Daran,” he alleged that he was invited under the guise of a movie role by Princess, who told him she was preparing his favourite meal.
“The incident happened on April 21, 2021. Princess She Devil called me to say that she was preparing my favourite food, pounded yam, crayfish, egusi soup with bush meat,” he said.
“She had earlier told me about an acting job… but I never knew it was Kirikiri and Panti prison.”
He claimed that on arrival, he met individuals introduced as a film crew and began rehearsing with a young girl, believing it was part of a production.
“When I got to her house, I met some people there… I started rehearsing according to what the alleged director told me, not knowing it was a lie, there was no movie anywhere; it was all set up,” he said.
According to him, the situation escalated when others entered the room and accused him of wrongdoing.
“I never knew they had already ganged up against me… One of them even said she would make sure I don’t come out alive,” he added.
He also expressed disappointment with colleagues in the entertainment industry, describing the episode as a betrayal.
A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja had convicted the actor in July 2022 for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child.
The court sentenced him to prison terms of five years and three years, to run concurrently, for offences linked to the 2021 incident.
Amid controversies surrounding his release, the Lagos State Government clarified that he was not acquitted but freed after completing his sentence.
The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, stated that the Court of Appeal only overturned some earlier convictions while upholding the 2021 sexual assault ruling.
“Mr. Olanrewaju James was not cleared of the offences of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child,” Pedro said, adding that the actor’s release was solely based on the completion of his jail term.
