Public attention has once again turned toward actress Annie Macaulay after she came under criticism for a social media post congratulating fashion designer Abiodun Folashade Tokunbo, widely known as CEO Luminee, on the birth of a child.
The controversy stems from Luminee’s relationship with Baba Ijesha, real name Olanrewaju James Omiyinka, a figure previously convicted of sexually abusing a minor and recently released after serving his prison sentence. The couple’s marriage and the announcement of their child have sparked widespread public outrage, with many online commentators questioning the designer’s decision to build a family with him, particularly given that she is already a mother to a young daughter from a previous relationship.
Annie’s congratulatory message, which was initially intended as a gesture of goodwill, quickly drew backlash after users connected Luminee’s personal life to Baba Ijesha’s criminal history. Critics argued that, as a mother of two daughters herself, the actress should have been more cautious about publicly associating with the situation.
Faced with mounting criticism, Annie has since clarified her position, stressing that her comment was not an endorsement of the circumstances surrounding the birth announcement.
She explained that her message was based purely on a prior professional engagement with the designer. According to her, Luminee had previously created an outfit for her months earlier, and the congratulatory note was rooted in that past working relationship rather than awareness of the broader controversy.
The actress maintained that she was unaware of the full context surrounding the news at the time she made the post.
The incident has reignited broader conversations online about public figures, social media etiquette, and how quickly celebrity interactions can become entangled in sensitive or highly polarised issues.