I’m not a paedophile – Baba Ijesha

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Baba Ijesha

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By Enitan Abdultawab

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Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has strongly denied being a paedophile or rapist, asserting that he was lured with food and money in the events that led to his imprisonment.

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Speaking during a Monday interview with veteran broadcaster Yinka Ayefele on Fresh FM, the actor insisted his version of events will soon be detailed in an upcoming movie.

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“I am not a paedophile, I am not a rapist. It was destiny that punished me. I did not know the meaning of rapist, paedophile, until the controversy.

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“They said I used car key to deflower the minor. My side of the story will be revealed in a movie,” he added.

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Recounting the incident, he claimed he was invited under the guise of a movie role. “The incident happened on April 21, 2021. Princess…called me to say that she was preparing my favourite food, pounded yam, crayfish, egusi soup with bush meat,” he said, referring to actress Damilola Adekoya.

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Baba Ijesha added, “She had earlier told me about an acting job but I never knew it was Kirikiri and Panti prison.”

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He alleged that upon arriving, he began rehearsing with a young girl as instructed by those he thought were film crew members, unaware that the situation was staged.

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“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 said, describing how the situation escalated into his arrest.

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Asked whether being lured with food suggested gluttony, he responded, “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.”

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The actor was found guilty by the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, in July 2022 of sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child.

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The court sentenced him to five years and three years imprisonment to be served concurrently.

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Last month, the actor released a 10-minute track titled ‘Eniware Daran’ to explain his side of the story.

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