Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has opened up about his past relationship with actress Iyabo Ojo, revealing that she once entrusted him with the care of her children, Festus and Priscilla. He expressed disappointment over the current state of their relationship, which has been strained following Ojo’s public stance during his legal battles.
Iyabo Ojo was a prominent voice advocating for justice for the minor involved in Baba Ijesha’s 2021 rape scandal. She publicly supported comedian Damilola Adekoya, also known as Princess, during the controversy, taking a position that the actor says hurt him deeply.
In a recent interview on actress Biola Adebayo’s podcast, Baba Ijesha stated that despite their differences, he never wished Ojo any harm and remains puzzled by her actions.
“When they told me about Iyabo Ojo, I said she is my product. I cannot wish her bad. I do not want women to have problems. But what Iyabo has turned into today, I do not understand,” he said.
He added that he would have preferred direct communication if he had caused any offense.
“Even if I offended her, she should have called to confront me. What broke my heart the most was that she once left her children, Festus and Priscilla, in my custody during their childhood,” he recounted.
Baba Ijesha provided details of the incident, explaining that the actress had briefly left her children with him at her shop in IluPeju, Lagos, while she stepped out to make a purchase.
“That was at her shop in IluPeju. I came to collect a CD we made for a Lagos State project, and she embraced me and was receptive. She left the children in my care, saying she wanted to go buy suya. I asked my apprentice to watch over them while I checked on her. When I arrived, there was already a crowd, so I knew it would take time,” he said.
The actor also addressed past claims that Ojo was offended by a skit in which he jokingly mentioned her name in connection with ritual practices, alongside Bobrisky and Lizzy Anjorin. Baba Ijesha maintained that the skit was meant purely as comedy and noted the supportive actions of his co-stars during his own imprisonment.
“Prison is another world. It is a place where they control even a convicted minister. Bobrisky, who broke down in tears on his second day, shared food with fellow inmates, just as I did,” he recalled.
While declining to explicitly link his comments to Ojo’s advocacy during his sexual assault case, Baba Ijesha lamented the prevalence of “unnecessary beefing” in the Nollywood industry.
Baba Ijesha was convicted in July 2022 by a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child. He was sentenced to five and three years’ imprisonment respectively, to run concurrently.
Despite recent reports of his release, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice clarified that Baba Ijesha was not acquitted of the 2021 offences. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, stated that while some earlier convictions relating to alleged offences between 2013 and 2014 were set aside by the Court of Appeal, the 2021 conviction and sentence were upheld.