Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo has warned fellow actor Baba Ijesha to stop mentioning her children in public statements, following comments he made in a recent interview about their past relationship.
In a post shared on Sunday, March 22, 2026, Ojo stated that while she had no objection to him sharing his personal account, he must not involve her children, Festus and Priscilla, in his narrative. She wrote, “Take this as a notice to cease and desist from using my children as your cheap bait. It won’t fly.”
She also rejected his claim that she had left her children in his care when they were younger. According to her, her children were always supervised by nannies or her late mother. Referring to her former business premises in Ilupeju, Lagos, she explained that the environment included several staff members, making it unlikely that she would leave her children unattended.
Ojo further addressed a remark attributed to Baba Ijesha in which he described her as his “product.” She responded, “You were a senior colleague, no more to it.”
She warned that any further reference to her children would lead to legal action, stating that she would instruct her lawyer to take appropriate steps if the comments continued.
The response followed statements made by Baba Ijesha during an interview on a podcast hosted by actress Biola Adebayo. In the interview, he said Ojo had once trusted him with her children at her shop in Ilupeju, Lagos. He claimed that she left them briefly while she went out, and that he supervised them during that period.
He also expressed disappointment over their current relationship. He said, “When they told me about Iyabo Ojo, I told the person that she is my product. I cannot wish her bad.” He added that he would have preferred a direct conversation if he had offended her.
The exchange is linked to events surrounding a 2021 case involving Baba Ijesha. He was accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, a matter that drew public attention across Nigeria. Ojo was among those who publicly supported calls for justice for the victim, alongside comedian Damilola Adekoya.
In July 2022, a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja convicted Baba Ijesha on charges related to sexual assault and indecent treatment of a minor. He was sentenced to prison terms that were to run concurrently.
Following later developments and public discussion about his release, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice clarified that the actor had not been acquitted. Officials stated that while some earlier counts relating to alleged offences from previous years were set aside on appeal, the conviction and sentence connected to the 2021 case involving a minor were upheld.
In her statement, Ojo referred to the case and urged him to show remorse. She wrote, “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.”
