Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has cautioned convicted actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, against using her children to garner sympathy in his public narratives, warning that she would take legal action if he continues to mention them.
In an Instagram post on Sunday, Ojo addressed Baba Ijesha directly, insisting that her children have always been under the supervision of nannies or her late mother and were never left unattended.
The post was made following Baba Ijesha recent interview section on Nollywood actress and podcaster Biola Adebayo podcast show, Talk To B.
The interview, which has since gone viral, has sparked outrage among Nigerians who accused the actress of giving the actor a platform to downplay his conviction for sexual offences involving a minor.
During the interview, Baba Ijesha maintained that the incident that led to his conviction was a “setup,” insisting that he was misunderstood. He also suggested that parts of the incident were linked to a “movie preparation,” a claim that has drawn widespread criticism online.
The actor also revisited his relationship with Iyabo Ojo, stating that she once entrusted him with the care of her children, Festus and Priscilla, during their childhood.
“When they told me about Iyabo Ojo, I told the person that she is my product. I cannot wish her bad. I do not want women to have problems. But what Iyabo turned into today, I do not understand,” he said.
Baba Ijesha also described an incident at Ojo’s shop in Ilu-Peju, where he said she left her children under his supervision while attending to errands.
He claimed he monitored the children while she was away and later encountered a crowd at the location upon checking.
He said, “I told my apprentice to watch over them while I checked their mum. When I got to the place, I met a crowd, so I knew it was not a place you could just get what you wanted and go home immediately.”
Refuting the claim, iyabo Ojo emphasised that her former business premises in Ilu-Peju, Lagos, had multiple staff, including stylists, sales representatives, and apprentices, making it unlikely that she would be running errands herself or leaving her children at risk.
READ ALSO: Iyabo Ojo becomes president of single mothers association
“I honestly have no problem with you telling your side of the story. But take this as a notice to CEASE AND DESIST from using my children as your cheap bait. It won’t fly.
“You were a senior colleague, no more to it. However, that 14-year-old girl was a minor, and sexual assault is never okay. It is a crime. You should show some remorse. The court found you guilty based on evidence, so please don’t drag my kids into this,” Ojo wrote.
Ojo’s warning signals her readiness to use legal measures to ensure her children are not exploited in public discourse,saying,”Stop mentioning their names else I would direct my counsel to serve you appropriate papers.”
