Nigerian actor Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has explained why his relationship with colleague Bolaji ‘Mr Latin’ Amusan became strained after his release from prison.

Baba Ijesha spoke in an interview with Kasnaty TV. He described Mr Latin as a brother but said he later realised that the TAMPAN president avoids trouble.

Baba Ijesha’s legal troubles began in June 2021. Authorities arraigned him on six counts, including indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault and attempted sexual assault by penetration.

In July 2022, a Lagos High Court sentenced him to 16 years in prison for sexually assaulting a minor. The sentences were to run concurrently.

During the trial, Mr Latin publicly condemned the offence. He also said Baba Ijesha was not a TAMPAN member at the time and could not be suspended.

Baba Ijesha said he has tried several times to reconnect with Mr Latin since his release. According to him, the actor repeatedly gave him excuses.

He said he holds no grudge against Mr Latin and prefers to remember the good things his colleague did for him, including helping him travel to London for the first time.

“Mr Latin and I are like brothers. We are from the same Oṣùn state. We are sending money to the same place. If I am friends with someone, I will always recollect the good they have done to me. I can remember that he facilitated my first trip to London,” he said.

“We travelled to the world. My first trip overseas was not by the influence of any promoter. It was God’s time for me. I can not now say we are fighting.

Baba Ijesha said he called Mr Latin more than 25 times after returning from prison but could not reach him.

“When I got back from ‘Jerusalem’, since they have asked me not to call it that name again, I called my brother more than 25 times. He would always tell me he is in a minute.”

He added that he planned to stay at Mr Latin’s home after his release.

“I was supposed to go and sleep at his house when I returned. Mr Latin is a good human being, but he is fearful. He does not want any trouble. That was how he was created.”

Baba Ijesha also said he was not angry about Mr Latin’s position during his legal troubles.

“I was not angry with what Mr Latin said. I was the same person who called him when I came back.”

He said his colleagues’ silence during the case did not always mean they deliberately chose not to support him.

“Those people who did not talk were not because they did not want to; it just happened to them in a certain way.”

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