28th of April, 2021

Official Press Release as prepared by 
While we wait and trust that justice would prevail, it is important that we get the facts right.

Find below, the mother of the Survivors statement.

"Days ago, the news of popular Yoruba actor ,Olarenwaju James Omiyinka popularly known as Baba Ijesha, raping a young girl of 7 hit the internet and since then, there’s been chaos. It's no longer news that I don't have biological children of my own so imagine how sad I am that the girl in question (who I would like to keep her personal information private) is one of my 6 adopted children (3 boys, 3 girls) Their parents trusted me to train them properly and didn't want me to feel alone� Now that the incident is public, it all feels surreal but very painful. I can't believe someone I tried to help when I was at my lowest point in life could do this. Reading the false news that he raped her continuously for 7 years after the initial Sexual Defilement that took place 7 years ago is also adding to my mental health breakdown.

Truly he defiled her in my sitting room years ago when I went downstairs to lock the gate after my aunt who had come to console me on the collapse of my marriage and loss of baby (her other siblings had gone out to play at the end of the street). She said after , he warned her not to tell anyone and that it was nothing. In fact, he came the next day to make sure she had kept quiet. When he was leaving he asked her to follow him to the car to pick a nylon of fruits for everyone, that was when . After those two occasions, he completely avoided coming to my place but called anytime he was in need.

Fast forward to when my friend came around on Friday, April 16, 2021. she found me in a foul mood and went on to ask what had happened. I explained to her the same gut feeling I had been having for 7 years that something was wrong with her but it was not spiritual won't go away. She then offered to talk to her and that was when all the secrets came out.

On one hand, we are a bit relieved and her parents are especially grateful to God that we now know the root cause of declining grades & sudden change in behaviour. On the other hand, it's so painful knowing that she had to bear all these by herself.  . I truly can't find the right words to describe how deeply hurt I am.

These parents showed compassion by allowing their kids live with me so I could experience motherhood. I protected and cared for them to the best of my ability but Lanre made me question my sanity as a mother.

I still can't get over the trauma of having to watch her on CCTV just so we could get proof. She was so scared before he arrived and we had to reassure her that we would come in before he could hurt her. She dreads him so much to the point that when she recognized him in a movie he and I featured in 2019, even her brothers couldn't console her.

We pray for justice and plead with the general public to respect our privacy as we are going through so much already. Thank you all for your continuous prayers and emotional support. May you never have to weep over your children. May God grant those of us looking for the fruit of the womb everlasting joy. I strongly believe God does not sleep."

If you are a victim of Sexual Assault/Abuse, please know that we are a community of people who love and care for you. We help you fight for Justice while we help you heal. Every case is treated confidentially and the identity of the Survivor is always protected.

We seek full justice for the young child, it is embarrassing to know Nigeria police force are trying to grant Olanrewaju James Omiyinka a bail today at Panti Police station, Lagos state, Nigeria. I want to remind the Nigeria Police force that Section 218 of the Criminal Code Act provides that any person who has unlawful carnal knowledge of a girl under the age of thirteen is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for life with or without caning. This law should be excise and thorough investigation is required with evidence already been submitted by the child guidance.

Signed