Yomi Fabiyi reacts to Baba Ijesha release
Nollywood actor and human rights advocate Yomi Fabiyi has publicly reacted to the appeal court decision that released Olanrewaju “Baba Ijesha” James, declaring that the ruling “restored truth above sentiments.” Fabiyi is describing the initial case against Baba Ijesha as a “charade,” implying that it was driven by personal vendettas and manipulation, rather than a straightforward pursuit of justice.
In his statement, Fabiyi raised serious concerns about how the case was handled, pointing to what he called “inconsistencies” in the prosecution’s narrative. One of his main claims is that the story around the minor’s age was never properly verified. He insists that the oft-repeated “14-year-old” figure was never substantiated in court, suggesting that age falsification was a central problem.
Fabiyi has also accused Princess, the foster mother of the girl, of negligence and “grooming.” He claimed that a man named Damola Adekola, whose sperm was allegedly found on the girl, was never held accountable. According to Fabiyi, forensic checks “showed [the sperm] did not belong to Baba Ijesha,” yet Adekola was “allowed to walk free.”
Another striking allegation from Fabiyi is about surveillance cameras. He argued that installing cameras on the day Baba Ijesha was invited to the house amounted to “child pornography” and led to the “re-traumatisation of a minor.” He views this as a form of organized setup, not just a mistake or oversight.
On the legal front, Fabiyi emphasized that Baba Ijesha’s appeal process is still ongoing, and he remains convinced that there was never “concrete evidence” to prove that Ijesha slept with the girl. According to Fabiyi, this lack of solid proof is underscored by the fact that the judge did not hand down a life sentence, which would have been more likely had there been a clear case of rape.
Fabiyi’s support for Ijesha is rooted in his broader human rights work. He has repeatedly argued for fair trial principles, calling out what he sees as “selective justice” and “organised setups.” He says his activism does not condone abuse but he believes in challenging miscarriages of justice, especially when “vendetta” is involved.
These new claims have reignited public debate over the case, especially around issues of child protection, legal accountability, and whether the justice system was manipulated for personal or industry-related reasons. Fabiyi, through his NGO the Break The Silence Foundation has said he will continue to amplify these concerns and push for full accountability.
