“Prison is where prayers are answered the most” — Baba Ijesha recounts bitter experience behind bars

Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has opened up about his experience in prison, describing his time behind bars as bitter and claiming he was made a scapegoat.

The actor, who was released after serving his sentence, made the remarks during an interview with Agabletu TV, where he also warned young Nigerians to be careful about their actions.

Reflecting on his experience, Baba Ijesha said prison life had exposed him to realities that many people outside the facility might not understand.

Baba Ijesha describes prison experience as bitter

The actor said, “Bitter because I was a scapegoat. Do you know, many want people to learn a lesson from celebrities.”

He also urged young people to consider the consequences of their decisions, noting that seemingly harmless actions could lead to imprisonment.

Baba Ijesha further alleged that some prison warders treated inmates harshly, adding that celebrity status offered no special protection behind bars.

He said he was surprised to see influential people, including ministers, treated like ordinary inmates.

Actor claims inmates’ prayers can bring sudden deaths

Speaking about spirituality in prison, Baba Ijesha said, “Do you know that prison is where prayer [is] answered most? People are praying in prison. People will continue praying until they pick a stone and cut themselves until blood is coming out. The person will lick the blood and tell God, ‘If I am guilty of [the] offence I am here for, let this, and this happen to me.’ But if I don’t know anything about it…”

He also claimed that many sudden deaths were connected to inmates’ prayers, although he provided no evidence to support the allegation.

Baba Ijesha was sentenced in July 2022 over sexual offences involving a minor. The Lagos State Government later clarified that he was released after completing his sentence, not acquitted.