Olanrewaju Omiyinka, the Nigerian actor popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has maintained that the sexual assault case for which he was imprisoned was a set-up by his colleague, comedian Princess.
The actor was arraigned on June 24, 2021, on a six-count charge of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault, attempted sexual assault by penetration, and sexual assault by penetration.
On July 14, 2022, a Lagos high court sentenced him to 16 years’ imprisonment for sexually assaulting a minor.
However, the sentence was to run concurrently, meaning the actor spent about five years behind bars.
In April 2024, Baba Ijesha challenged his jail term, arguing that he had been set up and was merely “acting according to a script” provided by a colleague.
He was released in November 2025 after completing his jail term.
In a new song titled ‘Eniwaye Daran’, which translates to “Whoever comes into the world faces hardship”, released following his prison release, the actor recounted that the alleged set-up occurred on April 21, 2021.
He recounted that it happened at the residence of comedienne Princess, whom he described as a “devil,” after being invited under the pretence of a meal and a new film role.
Baba Ijesha claimed that while waiting for the meal, he began rehearsing for the supposed movie as instructed, unaware that it was a scheme by Princess to exploit his fame and orchestrate his arrest.
“My trust was betrayed. I ended up in Kirikiri prison because of a woman,” he sings.
“The incident happened on April 21, 2021. I received a call from Princess, who asked me to come to her place because she was preparing pounded yam and egusi soup with bush meat and I accepted the invitation. I didn’t know it was a trap; the world can be wicked.
“She had earlier told me about a film production and said she didn’t want me to play my usual role. She wanted me to act as a younger character because she planned to take me to another level in my career. But I didn’t know it was a trap meant to send me to Kirikiri and Panti prisons.
“When I got to her house, I met some people there. While waiting for her to finish cooking, I began rehearsing because of how much I love my job. I started acting as they instrusted, not knowing it was all a lie and a scheme. There was no movie anywhere, it was all set up. She wanted to exploit my fame to make herself relevant again. The she-devil is wicked.
“The main offender is walking freely, while they want an innocent man to be punished. That is how I ended up in Kirikiri.”
He warned his fans to be cautious about long-lost friends, saying not everyone can be trusted, and urged them to learn from his experience.
“Please, my fans, be careful with friends you haven’t seen for a long time. They cannot always be trusted. Stay away from them because the world can be evil, and human beings can be more dangerous than venomous snakes. Learn from my mistakes.”
Watch Baba Ijesha’s ‘Eniwaye Daran’ below: