I was visibly angry when I watched Biola Adebayo tender an apology for playing host to Omiyinka Olanrewaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, on her podcast. It infuriated me so much that I had to reach out to a few colleagues to sample their opinions on the apology in order to cool the rage inside me. Her grovelling, like a robber caught in the act, was simply nauseating, especially considering it was all because she gave Baba Ijesha a platform to tell his side of the story that landed him in a government cage.
Expectedly, the interview generated a buzz, principally among those who fought to ensure the comic actor’s movement was restricted for some years as a certified criminal. Others who joined also believe that since he has served his term, he should be reintegrated into society, even if he truly committed the crime.
Baba Ijesha
Biola did not even wait for the real buzz to take centre stage before rushing onto several social media platforms to go on her knees for those she believed she had offended by bringing the comic actor on her programme. Haba! That makes no sense at all.
To those who may choose to misinterpret this piece, let me be clear: I am in no way supporting Baba Ijesha for what he did or did not do. I am only looking at this with an objective lens. However, whichever way anyone wants to look at it, I strongly believe he deserved the right to tell his own story—whether the public believes him or not.
If Biola Adebayo had not given him her platform, he would have found another means to tell his story. The outrage that followed, especially the posture taken by Damilola Adekoya (Princess), gave the impression that some people want Baba Ijesha back in prison—which is not possible under our laws because of what is known as double jeopardy. Worse still, some seem to want him to rot there forever and never be heard from again.
I implore you to leave sentiments aside and face the uncomfortable truth of life, which is this: the fact that someone is found guilty by a court does not automatically mean guilt in the absolute sense; likewise, the fact that a court frees an accused person does not necessarily translate to innocence. We have all read and witnessed cases of people jailed for many years, only for the justice system to later discover grave errors. Such examples abound—not just in Nigeria, but all over the world.
If those involved have been silenced, maybe—just maybe—their cases may never be reviewed.
I once had the privilege of having a private conversation with a distinguished judge, the wife of former APC Legal Adviser Babatunde Ogala, SAN. I asked her candidly if she had ever delivered an inexact judgment. Her honest response opened my eyes to a fundamental truth: lawyers play a crucial role in determining whether a person is convicted or acquitted. She explained that there are times her intuition tells her an accused person may be innocent, but when the defence counsel fails to properly establish facts or present convincing evidence, it becomes a problem. Meanwhile, the opposing party comes fully armed with strong evidence. And because the court is not a Father Christmas, it cannot “dash” judgment to a party that fails to prove its case. Moreover, the symbol of justice is blindness; judges do not see people, but facts and evidence.
It is deeply sad to see Biola Adebayo slowly harming her brand through an unnecessary apology. This is where basic training or experience in journalism would have helped immensely. Media practitioners understand that granting interviews, even to controversial figures—is never a crime.
I was actually forced to watch the interview because of the controversy surrounding it. I must confess that Baba Ijesha did not say anything reckless or defamatory to injure the character of those aggrieved. His claim was measured.
Baba Ijesha should not become deaf and dumb simply because he was found guilty. If those shouting now believe he should live forever in regret, then what exactly is the essence of a correctional centre, which is meant to correct, reform, and rehabilitate offenders? I was genuinely pleased when I heard him say he studied Mass Communication while in prison. That alone shows his time there was not entirely wasted.
Princess should, please, take the Baba Ijesha issue out of her head. At least he has served his term for the crime she alleged. Meanwhile, it has also already been established that the issue of rape has been expunged—a narrative that initially dominated public discourse when the story first broke. He was convicted for sexual assault and harassment of a minor. If the video in circulation is anything to go by, Baba Ijesha is guilty of touching the minor inappropriately because it is a known fact that minors cannot legally give consent, even if she appeared to consent to the unholy touch.
Finally, Biola Adebayo, I advise you to either engage a seasoned journalist to manage your media affairs or retain a competent lawyer to guide the operations of your podcast—if you are still interested in holding your head high in this industry.
A word, they say, is enough for the wise.
Kunle Rasheed, a seasoned journalists wrote in from London.
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