In a recent conversation on social media with Akeem Amzat, Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo opened up about her firm stance against sexual abuse, particularly in the entertainment industry.
Contrary to her perceived tough personality, Ojo clarified that her outspokenness stems from her intolerance for injustice, especially towards minors and the vulnerable.
Ojo stated, “I am not tough. The thing is that I’m not too fond of cheating, particularly when it involves minors or younger ones. I don’t like elderly men raping the younger ones. Rape goes beyond penetration. Merely playing with a girl suggestively, I don’t like it.”
The actress specifically referenced the case of fellow actor Olanrewaju James, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, who was involved in a controversial case of sexual abuse involving a minor resulting in Baba Ijesa being sentenced to a five-year jail term.
She expressed her disappointment over how the case unfolded in the public sphere, noting that it should not have been prolonged on social media.
However, she was particularly disturbed by some colleagues’ attempts to shift the narrative in Baba Ijesha’s favour.
“I think we need to get to the root of what happened between Olanrewaju James, alias Baba Ijesha, and the girl. That fight shouldn’t have been prolonged like that on social media, but I found out that my colleagues were trying to change the narrative. I don’t like that”, she said.
Ojo also voiced her frustration with a section of the Nollywood industry that, according to her, seeks to protect perpetrators of sexual abuse simply because they are colleagues.
“A school of thought felt that because Baba Ijesha is my colleague, we should cover up his sexual atrocity. That is what our seniors were doing, which is responsible for encouraging men in the acting industry to be sexually assaulting the female actors, particularly the upcoming ones”, she explained.
Her remarks highlight the broader issue of sexual misconduct in Nollywood and the pressure for silence within the industry. Ojo’s candid statements further underscore the need for accountability and cultural change to protect vulnerable individuals, particularly young actors, from exploitation and abuse.
