“Day Baba Ijesha betrayed me” — Actor Yomi Fabiyi

Nollywood actor and activist Yomi Fabiyi has alleged that his colleague, Baba Ijesha, betrayed him by sending someone to intimidate him shortly after his release from prison.

Fabiyi said the incident came as a shock, noting that he had supported Baba Ijesha during one of the most difficult periods of his life, even when many others distanced themselves.
He recalled standing firmly by the actor throughout the 2021 sexual assault case that later resulted in a conviction, and maintaining that support even after Baba Ijesha completed his sentence in 2025.
According to Fabiyi, his loyalty was met with hostility, as he was allegedly threatened after Baba Ijesha regained his freedom, leaving him feeling hurt and disappointed.
He added that he had believed their relationship within the Yoruba movie scene and the wider Nollywood industry was rooted in mutual respect, but instead felt sidelined and disrespected.
Fabiyi further claimed that Baba Ijesha warned him against speaking publicly about the case and intentionally left his name out of a  music track released shortly after his release.

“The same God that witnessed Baba Ijesha’s ungratefulness is now dealing with him. After all my efforts to save him from a life sentence, he betrayed me. It seems that whenever I help someone, they repay me with evil. Baba Ijesha is a prime example. I recall all the efforts I made for his appeal, and how he went behind my back to tell a man to threaten me not to talk about his case again. When he wanted to release a song, he intentionally excluded my name, thinking they could mock me. However, evil deeds will always boomerang.”
Fabiyi’s choice to stand by Baba Ijesha during the widely publicized case had previously earned him mixed reactions from the public. While some praised his loyalty, others criticised his stance. However, he insisted his support was rooted in a sense of fairness and personal conviction, which is why the alleged betrayal has been particularly painful for him.