Baba Ijesha alleges 65% of Lagos inmates are innocent

Convicted Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has called on the government, judges and lawyers to investigate the cases of inmates he claims are wrongly imprisoned, alleging that about 65 per cent of inmates in Lagos correctional facilities are innocent.

The actor also described prison as a place where prayers are answered most, claiming that some sudden deaths are linked to inmates’ prayers.

Baba Ijesha made the allegations in an interview with Dele Adeyanju on Agabletu TV, shared on the station’s YouTube channel on Sunday, months after his release from prison.

Reflecting on his experience behind bars, the actor described his imprisonment as bitter, alleging that he was made a scapegoat because of his celebrity status.

“Bitter because I was a scapegoat. Do you know, many want people to learn a lesson from celebrities,” he said.

He warned young Nigerians to be careful about their actions, saying seemingly harmless dealings could result in imprisonment.

“Youth should be careful in their dealings. What you think may not lead to prison may land you in prison,” he said.

The actor also alleged that some correctional officers were more brutal than police officers, insisting that inmates were treated harshly regardless of their social status.

“Some warders are more wicked than police. Those in offices are different. There are some that deal with criminals. They don’t know who is celebrity,” he said.

Baba Ijesha said he was surprised to discover that wealthy and influential Nigerians were subjected to the same prison conditions as ordinary inmates.

“Do you know what I mean? Some people many think travel abroad are actually in prison,” he said.

Calling for a review of cases involving inmates he described as innocent, the actor said government officials, judges and lawyers should listen to their accounts.

“There are about 65% there that are innocent. There is a guy there called No Case. Dear government, please,” he said.

He specifically mentioned Kirikiri Prison, the Maximum Security Custodial Centre and the Ikoyi custodial facility as places where he alleged inmates were experiencing injustice.

“Some of you judges and lawyers. You need to listen to their stories and see what is happening,” he added.

The actor also urged political leaders to exercise restraint in their dealings with individuals, warning them to consider the consequences of their actions.

“Do you know prison is where prayer answer most?” he said.

He alleged that inmates sometimes resorted to intense prayers for divine intervention in their cases, claiming that some sudden deaths were connected to such prayers.

“Many sudden deaths are from prison, and they don’t use knives. It is the power of prayer,” he claimed.

Baba Ijesha also recounted the alleged case of an inmate he identified as “No Case”, claiming that the person responsible for the inmate’s imprisonment apologised before dying, while the inmate remained incarcerated.

The comments come amid the actor’s controversial legal history.

A Lagos State High Court in Ikeja sentenced Baba Ijesha in July 2022 to concurrent prison terms of five years and three years for sexual assault and indecent treatment of a child over a 2021 incident.

The Lagos State Government subsequently clarified that he was not acquitted but released after serving his sentence. The Court of Appeal set aside some of his earlier convictions but upheld the sexual assault ruling. His name was also added to the state’s sex offenders’ register.

In a March 23, 2026 interview with Yinka Ayefele on Fresh FM, Baba Ijesha rejected descriptions of himself as a paedophile and rapist.

“I am not a paedophile, I am not a rapist. It was destiny that punished me,” he said.

He alleged that he was lured with food and money under the pretext of a movie role by Damilola Adekoya, popularly known as Princess, and claimed he was set up.

The actor said he would present his side of the story in an upcoming movie.