The arrival of a new baby for Nollywood actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, seven months after his release from prison, has sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians on social media.
The actor announced the birth of the baby boy on Monday. He shared photos of the newborn whom he described as a special blessing.
Baba Ijesha welcomed the baby with fashion entrepreneur Abiodun Tokunbo, the Chief Executive Officer of Luminee Couture.
In his post, the actor introduced the newborn as King Kagar and expressed gratitude to God for the successful delivery.
Tokunbo also celebrated the birth in a separate post, describing the child’s arrival as a long-awaited blessing.
She wrote: “We are overwhelmed with joy.
Our little star has arrived to light up our lives. Our hearts are full. Our lives compete (sic). I heart you ijesha mi babaijesha_legit You are one in millions, your heart is pure…. What a miracle and privilege God gave us more than we prayed for, my ever strong man babaijesha_legit love you till Eternity. In quiet ways, in Unseen ways, God has been writing a story only He could tell. I get to be a mother of KING KAGAR OMIYINKA king_kagar_o
Feel free to call me MUMMY KING KAGAR”
The announcement comes seven months after Baba Ijesha regained his freedom after completing his prison sentence following his conviction in a child sexual assault case.
Following the baby announcement, some social media users congratulated the actor and his partner, while others questioned the development because of his past conviction.
One user, @celiaokechukwu, wrote: “To think you have a teenage daughter!!! Omo! You don’t enter the gutter to chop food. I can’t believe this! A child molester?!!! Ha!
May God protect your daughter from his preying eyes and hands, as you, her mother, have decided to throw her into a lion’s den.”
Another reaction from @yettyalaw reads: “If you know the number of sexual cases that are thrown out of court not because the incident didn’t happen but because there isn’t enough evidence to convict the accused, You will know why this is a big deal. This man was literally convicted. Y’all making me go crazy mehnnnnnnn”
Omobee also wrote: “How desperate can a woman be to go for a known pedo? Your daughter’s daddy better get his daughter b4 ljesa starts molesting her. How do you feel comfortable watching the video of where he was sucking that girl’s fingers?”
However, some users defended the actor, arguing that he had served his sentence and should be allowed to move on with his life.
@k.west_85 said, “All of you making negative comments need to take a hard look at yourselves. Because someone was convicted, does that mean he should never marry or have children again? He has already paid the price for his actions and is now a free man. What exactly do some of you want-should he be punished forever? I honestly don’t understand this mindset.
The truth is that many people judging him may have done things far worse behind closed doors. The only difference is that your own wrongdoings have not been exposed to the public, so people still see you as innocent….. When the incident happened, I was one of the people who condemned what he did that time. He was sentenced and paid for what he did, and now he’s a free man. As for me, I don’t see anything wrong or have a problem with him marrying.”
Another user, @lamhoriz, reacted: “Most of you talking have done worse than being a murderer. The only difference is that his sin is public, while yours may be even worse if it were brought to light. Judge carefully. Condemn carefully. Crucify carefully. He committed a terrible crime and has served his jail term. Do we have to keep pushing him until he becomes depressed and commits suicide? At this point, some of you condemning him are worse than the person you’re judging. Don’t push people to their breaking point and then act innocent. Everyone deserves a chance to pick up the pieces of their life and move forward.”
Since his release, Baba Ijesha has gradually returned to public life through interviews, social media appearances and public engagements.
