Popular Yoruba actor, Yomi Fabiyi has expressed regret over his decision to stand by James Omiyinka also popularly known as Baba Ijesha, alleging that he was abandoned after his release from prison.
In a now-viral video, Fabiyi, who had previously defended Baba Ijesha throughout his legal ordeal, expressed betrayal.
He said he “took bullets” for the embattled actor, only to be repaid “with evil” after he was released.
“Baba Ijesha thinks he has arrived. I sacrificed my life. I put everything on the line for him. The little fame and influence I had, I used it to ensure he didn’t get life imprisonment,” Fabiyi said.
The vocal actor revealed that he worked tirelessly on Baba Ijesha’s appeal, only to be threatened by someone sent by the actor to stop him from speaking on the case.
Fabiyi further claimed that after his release, Baba Ijesha recorded a song that mocked him and deliberately left his name out when acknowledging those who stood by him.
“He thought he could disgrace me,” Fabiyi added.Expressing regret, Fabiyi said the controversy has severely damaged his reputation.
“People now tag me as someone supporting a paedophile because of him. I was once at the American embassy when a woman publicly confronted me over the issue,” he recounted.
Baba Ijesha had been arraigned on June 24, 2021, on a six-count charge, including indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, and attempted sexual assault by penetration.
On July 14, 2022, a Lagos high court sentenced him to 16 years’ imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor. The sentence was ordered to run concurrently, meaning he served approximately five years behind bars.
Baba Ijesha was released from prison in November 2025 after completing his sentence.
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