Mr Latin reacts as Baba Ijesha accuses him of neglect after prison release

The National President of the Theatre Arts and Motion Pictures Practitioners Association of Nigeria (TAMPAN), Bolaji “Mr Latin” Amusan, has reacted to allegations levelled against him by his colleague, Olanrewaju “Baba Ijesha” Omiyinka.

In a viral video on Wednesday, Baba Ijesha accused Mr Latin of distancing himself from him following his release from prison. He also described Mr Latin as an opportunist.

The video was recorded during a recent event in Ogun State, where the actor expressed his disappointment over what he described as Mr Latin’s deliberate refusal to maintain contact with him.

Baba Ijesha, who was released from prison in November 2025 after his conviction for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl, said he considered Mr Latin a close friend and brother.

The actor said: “Mr Latin, my brother, you’re an opportunist; you just take opportunities as they come. I’ll shock all of you here tonight: when I was released from prison, I called my brother, Mr Latin, more than twenty-five times, and his response was, ‘Hello, I’m in a meeting.’ After that response, I laughed, and he even did it to my face one day.

“I’m saying this because when I arrived here, I should have gone to sleep in his house, or he should have come to pick me up with his car and taken me to his house, but I’m saying this so he’ll know. Mr Latin has one character trait: he’s a good person, but he fears a lot and doesn’t want any trouble, and that’s how he was made.”

No offence

Baba Ijesha said he did not take offence at Mr Latin’s actions, noting that he was the one who contacted Mr Latin.

According to him, although his fans expressed sympathy while he was in prison, his colleagues were less sympathetic because of the difficulties they experienced as a result of the situation.

“Nobody should talk about it, because it’s a matter between two brothers. But I need to warn him, Mr Latin, you need to calm down. If I said I should start fighting Mr Latin, I could start from the movies.

“All I’m saying here today, record it and play it back to him: I’m not afraid of him, because a dog that won’t bark won’t lose its teeth. With everything I’ve said, I swear on the stage, Mr Latin, calm down,” said Baba Ijesha.

Mr Latin speaks

PREMIUM TIMES contacted Mr Latin for his response to the viral video. He confirmed during the interview that he was aware of the video and the allegations made against him.

However, Mr Latin said he has no comment on Baba Ijesha’s allegations.

“I saw the video, but I have no comment or reaction to it,” said the TAMPAN president.

Backstory

Since his release from prison and subsequent inclusion on Lagos State’s sex offenders’ register, Baba Ijesha has remained in the spotlight, making public appearances with prominent Nigerians.

This newspaper reported that the actor had visited the President of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Musiliu “MC Oluomo” Akinsanya, and the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, among others.

Baba Ijesha also welcomed a baby boy with his wife, fashion entrepreneur Abiodun Tokunbo, the chief executive officer of Luminee Couture.

The couple’s baby announcement in June caught social media users by surprise, largely because neither Baba Ijesha nor his wife had previously spoken publicly about their relationship.