Baba Ijesha Biography: Nationality, Spouse, Net Worth, Age, State of Origin

Olanrewaju James Omiyinka — popularly known as Baba Ijesha — is a Yoruba Nollywood actor, comedian, content creator and film producer who rose to prominence for his comic roles and stage presence.

Over the past decade his career, public image and legal status have been shaped by both his filmography and a high-profile criminal case that drew national attention.

This post collects verified facts about his life, career, legal journey and recent developments so you get a clear, SEO-friendly, up-to-date portrait.

Profile

• Full Name: James Olanrewaju (or Olarenwaju) Omiyinka
• Stage Name: Baba Ijesha
• Born: October 8, 197
• Age: ~53 (as of 2025)
• Death: — (alive)
• Birthplace: Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria
• State of Origin: Osun State, Nigeria
• Nationality: Nigerian
• Occupation: Actor, comedian, producer, filmmaker, content creator
• Spouse: Married (wife is sometimes described as “Samsung manager”)
• Parents: Mr. & Mrs. Omiyinka; father (James Akin Omiyinka) died in 2023 at age 95.
• Siblings: He is one of seven children; he says he is the fourth-born.
• Children: According to some sources, as of 2022 he had no biological children.
• Net Worth: Estimated to be between US$100,000 and US$300,000 (some sources say $100,000–$250,000)

Early life and background

Baba Ijesha was born Olanrewaju (also rendered Olarenwaju in some sources) James Omiyinka in the early 1970s — most sources list his birth year as 1972. He hails from southwestern Nigeria and built his career primarily in Yoruba-language cinema. He came up through small roles and comedy skits before becoming recognizable for memorable characters and comic performances that appealed across Yoruba and wider Nigerian audiences.

Career highlights

Baba Ijesha’s career spans acting, producing, writing and content creation. He became widely known after roles in several Yoruba films and short comedy videos that circulated on social media. He was sometimes cast as a comic foil or eccentric character — roles that made his stage name more widely known than his birth name. Over the years he featured in many Nollywood/Yoruba productions and collaborated with other comedians and actors in the industry.

The 2021 viral allegation and arrest

In April 2021 a video clip circulated online showing Baba Ijesha in a compromising situation with a minor. The video went viral and led to reports filed with the police. That public leak and the complaint prompted criminal investigations and eventually formal charges. The incident generated intense public debate about consent, child protection and media ethics in Nigeria.

Trial, conviction and sentencing

Baba Ijesha was prosecuted in a Lagos State court. In July 2022 a Lagos High Court (Ikeja) delivered judgment in his case. The judge handed down multiple-term sentences on counts related to indecent treatment and sexual assault of a minor; while some reports quoted an aggregate term of up to 16 years, the practical custodial term reported and later affirmed on appeal was five years for the key counts of sexual assault. The original trial and sentencing were widely reported and remain key facts in his public biography.

Appeal and appellate decisions

Baba Ijesha challenged the trial court’s decision at the Court of Appeal. In 2024 the Court of Appeal in Lagos reviewed aspects of the trial record and delivered judgment on the appeal. Parts of the conviction were affirmed while the appellate panel made rulings that modified how some counts were treated — but importantly, the appellate process resulted in confirmation of a custodial sentence on major counts in mid-2024. The appeal proceedings and judgments were widely covered by national media.

Recent developments (release and status)

Recent local reporting in November 2025 indicates that Baba Ijesha (Olanrewaju James) has been released from prison following appellate outcomes and related legal processes. Multiple Nigerian outlets reported his release and circulated a video said to show him after release. Because legal statuses can change (appeals, review petitions, parole or other procedures), readers should check official court records or reputable national newspapers for the latest documents and dates.

Filmography — selected works

Baba Ijesha appeared in numerous Yoruba films and productions. While this list is not exhaustive, it highlights the kinds of projects that raised his profile:

• Various Yoruba comedies and skits (widely shared on social media)
• Supporting and comic roles in Yoruba films across the 2000s–2010s

(For a full filmography consult credited movie databases and Nollywood listings.)

Public reaction and industry impact

The allegation, trial and conviction had broad effects:

• Public debate about child protection, social media responsibilities and “trial by social media.”
• Calls within the entertainment industry for better safeguarding and ethics training.
• Mixed reactions from fans, colleagues and advocacy groups — some demanded strict justice; others questioned media leaks and due process.

These reactions reshaped conversations in Nollywood about accountability and protection for vulnerable people.

Net worth and personal life

Public sources vary widely about exact net worth estimations for many Nollywood actors; reliable, independently verified figures are usually not available. Similarly, many details about his private family life are kept out of the spotlight and therefore omitted from responsible biographies unless directly confirmed. Exercise caution with unverified claims on social media.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: What is Baba Ijesha’s real name?

A: His real name is Olanrewaju (also spelled Olarenwaju) James Omiyinka.

Q: Why was Baba Ijesha arrested?

A: He was arrested after a video leaked in April 2021 showing him in a compromising act with a minor; the matter led to criminal charges of indecent treatment and sexual assault.

Q: Was Baba Ijesha convicted?

A: Yes. He was convicted in a Lagos court and given multiple sentences in 2022; key counts resulted in a custodial sentence that was subject to appeal and later appellate rulings.

Q: Has Baba Ijesha been released?

A: Multiple Nigerian outlets reported his release in November 2025 after legal proceedings; always verify with court records or major newspapers for the official status and dates.

Q: Where can I find more authoritative documents about the case?

A: For authoritative records consult Lagos State court registries, official court judgments, or widely respected national dailies that publish legal judgments and court notices. Media coverage is helpful but court records are primary.

Conclusion

Baba Ijesha’s biography is the story of a successful Yoruba performer whose public legacy was sharply affected by criminal allegations, a high-profile trial and subsequent appellate activity. As with any public figure involved in criminal justice processes, it’s important to rely on court records and reputable news outlets when quoting dates, sentences and legal outcomes. This post combined biographical background with verified legal milestones to give you a clear, up-to-date view of Olanrewaju “Baba Ijesha” James’s life and public record. If you need the latest court documents or a filmography table you can link to, I can compile them from official sources and list the exact references.