Sunday Igboho sent money to me while we were both in detention — Baba Ijesha

Nollywood actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has revealed that Yoruba nation activist Sunday Igboho sent him money and arranged phone calls with him while he was serving his prison sentence in Nigeria.

Baba Ijesha disclosed this during a meeting between Igboho and veteran broadcaster Kolo Olootu, where the activist’s birthday was celebrated with a cake-cutting ceremony attended by the actor.

Recounting how Igboho maintained contact with him despite being detained in the Republic of Benin, Baba Ijesha said the activist would arrange for prison officials to make their calls possible.

“He used to send money to me. He would call the prison authorities and ask them to give me the phone. They would tell me it was Igboho calling and ask, ‘Are they sure? Has he been released?’”

Igboho also confirmed that the two men maintained contact while they were both in detention, with Baba Ijesha imprisoned in Nigeria and the activist held in Cotonou, Benin Republic.

“When I was in detention in Cotonou, Baba Ijesha was also in prison in Nigeria, and we used to call each other.”

Tribune Online reports that Baba Ijesha was released from prison in November 2025 after spending more than three years in custody following his conviction in a case involving the sexual assault of a minor.

His release followed a Court of Appeal decision that overturned aspects of the judgment delivered by the Lagos State High Court, which sentenced him to 16 years in prison in July 2022.