Actress Iyabo Ojo has shared the reason behind her strong support for comedienne Princess during the rape case involving actor Baba Ijesha and a minor.
In a recent episode of The Goldroom with Iyabo, the actress explained that her actions were deeply influenced by her own painful experience as a survivor of sexual abuse.
“I really didn’t control my emotions then because I was outraged by what happened,” she said.
“And I think it’s because I was also coming from that part, where I had gone through whatever she went through multiple times than hers and I just felt like enough is enough. We need to start speaking out for the girl and boy child.”
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Iyabo expressed her disappointment over the public reaction to Princess’s disclosure that Baba Ijesha had allegedly molested her 14-year-old foster daughter. She said she couldn’t believe how some adults twisted the story and even attacked Princess and the child.
“I was taken aback when I saw adults manipulating the story and even coming for the child and Princess, and that made me know we have a long way to go in Nigeria,” she said.
The actress added that she is especially disappointed when people in the entertainment industry do wrong, because they are supposed to be role models.
“You’ll notice when I kick, I kick when my fellow entertainers do wrong, because I feel like we are supposed to do right by our people,” she said.
“We cannot be preaching and doing the same bad thing that we’re telling people that is wrong, so for me it gets to me more when a known person does something wrong.”
Baba Ijesha, whose real name is Olanrewaju James, was arrested in April 2021 for allegedly assaulting a minor. The arrest came after CCTV footage surfaced showing him in an inappropriate situation with the girl.
Iyabo Ojo was vocal throughout the case. She publicly condemned Baba Ijesha’s actions and attended court sessions to support Princess.
The case also caused division in the Yoruba film industry. The Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN) even warned its members not to collaborate with Iyabo Ojo and fellow actress Nkechi Blessing, both of whom took a strong stand against Baba Ijesha.
Despite the backlash, Iyabo said she does not regret her decision to support Princess and the child. For her, protecting children and fighting for justice is more important than standing by colleagues who do wrong.
