Oluwatosin Enesi
Popular Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo has revealed the personal reasons behind her vocal support for comedian Princess during the high-profile rape case involving actor Baba Ijesha.
Speaking during an episode of The Goldroom with Iyabo, the actress explained that her reaction stemmed from her own painful experiences with sexual abuse, which made the case especially personal.
“I didn’t control my emotions then because I was outraged by what happened,” she said. “I had gone through what the victim experienced multiple times and I just felt like enough is enough.”
Iyabo condemned the way many adults attempted to manipulate the narrative during the saga and criticized those who attacked the victim and Princess. “That was when I knew we still have a long way to go in Nigeria,” she said.
The actress also addressed the role of public figures, stressing that entertainers should be held to a higher moral standard. “We are meant to do right by people. We are not just entertainers; we are evangelists through our craft,” she said. “If you play a bad role, something bad must happen to that character. We cannot be preaching one thing and doing another.”
In a separate interview with actress Biola Bayo, Iyabo disclosed that she had been raped five times in the past, which further explains her passionate stance on issues of sexual abuse. She also noted the prevalence of rape apologists in society and stated unequivocally that she would never defend anyone—family or not—accused of rape. “If my son were accused, I would come for him unapologetically,” she said.
Iyabo’s stance during the Baba Ijesha case famously led to a public fallout with fellow actor Yomi Fabiyi. The two became bitter rivals during the legal proceedings, often clashing on social media over their opposing views on the matter.
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