By Abdulahmeed Abdulrozaq Bilal | Fact Frontier.
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The release of convicted actor Olanrewaju James, known as Baba Ijesha, has been met with a fiery and uncompromising response from Comedian Princess, the foster mother of the minor he was convicted of assaulting. Baba Ijesha, who was released on November 14, 2025, after serving his sentence, now finds his freedom overshadowed by a very public condemnation.
In a viral Instagram live session, Princess did not welcome his release but instead framed it as a new phase of public vigilance. She issued a stark warning to the community and demanded official action from the government, ensuring the case remains in the court of public opinion.
A Calculated Response: "Benefits" of Incarceration and a Call to Action
Princess framed Baba Ijesha's time in prison as a period of necessary public protection. She highlighted the "beneficial" outcomes of his incarceration, stating it ensured “there were no new victims during those years.” She further emphasized that the conviction provided a sense of justice for his past victims and raised public awareness of his crimes.
Her primary demand was directed at the Lagos State government. With the legal process concluded, Princess urgently called for the Lagos State Ministry of Justice to formally publish his name on the sex offenders’ register. “Now that he has served his term and his appeals have been exhausted,” she asserted, this step is crucial for ongoing community safety.
A Direct Public Safety Alert
The most forceful part of Princess's address was a direct warning to specific sectors of society. She urged heightened vigilance, explicitly naming those she believes are at risk.
I strongly caution landlords, schools, and hotel owners to be vigilant,she declared, describing Baba Ijesha in stark terms as a “serial pedophile and serial rapist.” She expanded the scope of her warning beyond minors, alleging that he has also assaulted adults, particularly targeting “vulnerable individuals.”
Clapping Back at Critics
Princess also addressed the backlash she has faced throughout the legal battle. She offered a robust defense of her pursuit of justice, stating that “God does not condone child abuse,” a direct rebuttal to those who claimed divine retribution would befall her. In a moment of biting sarcasm, she challenged her detractors to “send their daughters to Baba Ijesha for Christmas.”
She further accused fellow actor Yomi Fabiyi, a vocal supporter of Baba Ijesha, of “chasing clout” and insinuated that Fabiyi’s own past alleged misconduct motivated his support.
A New Legal Frontier: Potential Countersuits Loom
While Princess's statements have been hailed by supporters as a necessary act of protecting society, they have also opened a potential new legal front. Baba Ijesha, having served the sentence mandated by the court for his specific crime, now possesses the same rights as any citizen. Legal analysts suggest that Princess's specific, public allegations could form the basis for a defamation lawsuit.
Baba Ijesha's legal team could argue that, while his conviction for the assault on one minor is a matter of public record, Princess's broader characterization of him as a "serial" offender who preys on adults constitutes new, unproven allegations that damage his reputation and prospects for rehabilitation.
This raises complex legal questions that could potentially be tested in a courtroom:
• Could Baba Ijesha file a defamation lawsuit, arguing that while his conviction is public record, the specific labels of "serial pedophile and serial rapist" and the unproven claims of assaulting adults constitute new, damaging statements made with malice?
• Would a court view Princess's comments as protected speech—a public safety warning based on her lived experience—or as actionable defamation that harms his character beyond the scope of his concluded criminal case?
• Might his legal counsel explore filing for harassment, contending that the direct calls to landlords and businesses create a coordinated effort to prevent his reintegration into society, thus infringing upon his rights after serving his court-mandated sentence?
As the public digests Princess's forceful statements, the focus now shifts not only to the government's response regarding the sex offender registry but also to the possibility of a countersuit. The situation reignites a crucial and difficult conversation about the limits of free speech, the definition of defamation, and the enduring tension between the right to protect one's community and the right to rehabilitation after serving a debt to society.
