Nigerian actor Yomi Fabiyi has publicly criticised his colleague Baba Ijesha, accusing him of abandoning and betraying him after gaining freedom from prison.
In a viral video circulating online, Fabiyi, who had strongly supported Baba Ijesha during his legal troubles, said he felt deeply hurt by the actor’s actions after his release.
Claiming he stood firmly by Baba Ijesha when many turned away, Fabiyi said he risked his reputation and influence to help prevent a harsher punishment.
“Baba Ijesha thinks he has arrived. I sacrificed my life. I put everything on the line for him. The little fame and influence I had, I used it to ensure he didn’t get life imprisonment,” Fabiyi said.
He further alleged that he devoted significant effort to Baba Ijesha’s appeal process, only to later face threats from someone allegedly sent by the actor to silence him.
Fabiyi also claimed that Baba Ijesha released a song mocking him after leaving prison and intentionally failed to mention his name among those who supported him.
“He thought he could disgrace me,” Fabiyi added.
Expressing disappointment, Fabiyi said his association with the case has badly affected his public image, with many now branding him as someone defending a paedophile.
“People now tag me as someone supporting a paedophile because of him. I was once at the American embassy when a woman publicly confronted me over the issue,” he recounted.
Baba Ijesha was arraigned on June 24, 2021, on six charges, including indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, and attempted sexual assault by penetration.
On July 14, 2022, a Lagos High Court sentenced him to 16 years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor, with the terms running concurrently, resulting in about five years served.
He was released from prison in November 2025 after completing his sentence.