Nollywood actor Baba Ijesha has once again become the subject of intense social media discussion after a video showing him performing at a church programme surfaced online.
The footage has generated contrasting reactions, with social media users divided over the actor’s appearance and participation in the religious gathering.
Some commenters viewed the performance as evidence that people should be allowed an opportunity to rebuild their lives, while others argued that his past should not be overlooked simply because he appeared in a church setting.
One social media user, @adebukola_x, defended his presence at the event, writing: “People deserve a second chance. If church can’t welcome people, then where else should they go?”
However, @Tifeh_01 offered a different perspective, saying: “The issue isn’t him being in church. The issue is people acting like history never happened.”
Another user, @IamMorenikeji, argued that the reaction was excessive, noting that the actor was simply invited to perform.
“Baba Ijesha was simply invited to perform. Some of you are taking it too far,” the user wrote.
Others questioned whether a church programme should feature a celebrity performance at all.
“Church should focus on worship, not celebrity appearances,” @TheOnlyKenny_ stated.
Meanwhile, some users pointed to Baba Ijesha’s continued popularity, with @oluwaseun___ noting that the actor still has supporters despite the controversies surrounding him.
The debate comes against the backdrop of the actor’s highly publicised legal troubles. In 2022, the Lagos State High Court convicted him on charges relating to the sexual assault of a minor and sentenced him to five years in prison. The court acquitted him of some other charges.
His appearance at the church event has therefore reopened questions about public forgiveness, accountability and whether individuals who have faced criminal convictions should be given opportunities to participate in public spaces.
As the video continues to circulate, the reactions highlight the difficulty of separating an individual’s present activities from the public memory of their past, particularly when their actions have previously attracted significant legal and social scrutiny.
