April 19, 2021, will forever be a date that the life of famous comic Yoruba actor James Olanrewaju Omiyinka popularly known as Baba Ijesha took a wrong turn.
The 49-year-old actor woke up on this day, only to discover that his world was about to be torn apart by an inexcusable act.
The indigenous actor became an internet sensation for the wrong reason after the news of him sexually assaulting a minor hit the airwave.
Baba Ijesha was arrested by the Police after a comedienne Damilola Adekoya, popularly known by her stage name Princess, accused him of assaulting her 14-year-old adopted daughter.
A case that took different twists and turns, finally came to an end on Thursday, July 14, 2022, after Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Ikeja Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Court in Lagos found him guilty of two out of the six-count charges against him.
Baba Ijesha was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment for indecent treatment of a minor and sexual assault.
What Happened to Baba Ijesha
The Osun State-born actor got his nickname ‘Baba Ijesha’ when he featured in a movie where he took on the role of an Ijesha man.
The convicted Nollywood actor once revealed his passion for entertainment has been since he was in primary school, as he usually entertained his friends and classmates.
He also disclosed that his flair for entertainment was greatly influenced by his father who was a local champion comedian and a joke cracker.
Olanrewaju Omiyinka started his professional acting career when he moved to Lagos in 1985, featuring in television soap operas, but came into the limelight after he featured in Saheed Balogun’s movie ‘Omo Orita’.
He has since become a household name in the Nollywood industry, especially in Yoruba acting.
Little was known of his family but rumoured to have married a top manager at Samsung in 2012; a union that never lasted.
During the year-long sexual assault hearing, Baba Ijesha revealed that he and his accuser, Princess, were lovers, and the accusations against him were premeditated.
According to the Police, Baba Ijesha confessed to the crime which was captured by a CCTV camera in the house of the complainant.
Princess disclosed that he had first defiled her daughter when she was seven years old before he was caught in the act seven years later.
A career heading for the stars has suddenly seen its light dimmed because of a single decision that could have been avoided.
The one who was known for putting smiles on our faces will now be remembered as a sexual offender as he counts down to his days in prison and hopes to get his life back on track if he ever makes it out in one piece.
