The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has come under criticism on social media after actor James Olarenwaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, announced that the monarch gifted him a brand-new car, luxury items and a chieftaincy title following the birth of his son.
The announcement, made by the actor on Wednesday, sparked mixed reactions online, with many Nigerians questioning the decision to honour the actor, who was convicted in 2022 for sexually assaulting a minor.
In a post on his social media page, Baba Ijesha expressed appreciation to the traditional ruler for what he described as a royal reception and fatherly support extended to him and his wife, fashion designer Abiodun Tokunbo, popularly known as Luminee.
“My deepest gratitude to His Imperial Majesty, Ooni of Ife. Baba, thank you for the royal welcome, fatherly love, and the confidence you gave my wife Afolashade Omiyinka and I,” Baba Ijesha wrote.
The post, however, drew widespread criticism from several social media users, who argued that the gesture amounted to rewarding misconduct and undermined the moral values expected of traditional institutions.
An Instagram user, identified as #cutie_juls, described the monarch’s action as ‘sad and disturbing.’
“Dear Ooni of #ooniadimulaife, good day your majesty. Please Sir, Baba Ijesha was found guilty of child molestation by the court and was sentenced to prison and what you do as a King is to award him chieftaincy title and a car gift soon after he finished serving his term. Sir, please what are you promoting in your kingdom as a king?
“No one is saying people like Baba Ijesha don’t deserve chances to integrate back into society but Sir what you’ve displayed is a huge insult on society and culture.
“A grown man found guilty of such, sentenced to prison and a whole King in all his wisdom concludes the best thing to do for him almost immediately after serving his jail term is to award him? On what merit are you awarding him really? Is it for the child molestation or having successfully completed his jail term?
“Sir, you are one of our respected kings and this is really sad and disturbing coming from you. As if this action from your palace is not disturbing enough, you also brought it on camera for what? For the whole world to see that a man found guilty and charged for a cr!me such as CHILD MOL£station got celebrated by his traditional ruler after serving his jail term? Sir, please have a deep reflection of this and if sits well with you then I apologise.”
A Facebook user, Oliver John, also faulted the decision, saying traditional titles should be reserved for individuals who exemplify integrity and good character.
“I am deeply disappointed. It is troubling to see a chieftaincy title being awarded to a sex offender. What message does this send to society? Traditional titles should represent integrity, discipline, honour and good character qualities that people, especially the younger generation, can look up to and emulate.
“Before conferring such an honour, our traditional institutions should carefully consider whether the recipient truly reflects the values and ethics our culture is meant to uphold.”
Another user, Eluwande Bode, described the gifts as misplaced priorities.
“Welcome back gift, misplaced priority by our leaders is one of the problems in Africa… on what basis, as what, for what reason… encouraging what?”
However, despite the backlash, some social media users defended the actor, arguing that he had served his prison sentence and deserved an opportunity to rebuild his life.
One Facebook user, Ola Christopher, wrote, “If the government can forgive and pardon a repentant terrorist who wasted many souls so why not Baba Ijesha but not so with our people. Once they hate you even if you’re honest as Jesus Christ they will make sure you’re crucified.”
Another user, Adeniran O. Oladipupo, also supported the actor.
“God kept Baba Ijesha through the storm for a reason. That was why he went through imprisonment and immediately the storm settled, God began to work wonders in his life.”
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