Convicted Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju Omiyinka, popularly known as Baba Ijesha, has described prison as a place where prayers are answered most, while claiming that many sudden deaths are linked to prayers and curses of inmates in correctional facilities.\n<\/p>\n
The actor made the remarks during an interview with Dele Adeyanju on Agabletu TV, in a video posted on the television station\u2019s YouTube channel on Sunday.\n<\/p>\n
Reflecting on life behind bars months after his release, Baba Ijesha described it as bitter, saying he was made a scapegoat.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cYouth should be careful in their dealings. What you think may not lead to prison may land you in prison,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Asked about his experience, Baba Ijesha replied: \u201cBitter.\u201d\n<\/p>\n
\u201cBitter because I was a scapegoat. Do you know, many want people to learn a lesson from celebrities,\u201d he said\n<\/p>\n
He also said he lived the life of an inmate in prison despite his celebrity status.<\/p>\n
He alleged that some warders are harsher than the police.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome warders are more wicked than police. Those in offices are different. There are some that deal with criminals. They don\u2019t know who is celebrity. They don\u2019t listen to the radio or pay attention to anything. You can see those kinds of people. If it is time to cry, you will cry, and if it is time to laugh, you will laugh,\u201d he said.\n<\/p>\n
Baba Ijesa recounted his shock at seeing well-to-do people and how powerful people, like ministers, are treated in prison like commoners.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know what I mean? Some people many think travel abroad are actually in prison.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cLet me shock you. There is someone I blocked after calling him many times, and he did not pick up. It was in my second month in prison; he told someone to call me. I was shocked,\u201d he said.\n<\/p>\n
The actor claimed a high number of inmates are wrongly held.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are about 65% there that are innocent. There is a guy there called No Case. Dear government, please. Some people are in Kirikiri Prison, some are in the Maximum Security Custodial Centre, and others are in Ikoyi. You need to hear their stories and see what they are going through.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of you judges and lawyers. You need to listen to their stories and see what is happening. I was also working for my country. I went there to ensure that things are properly investigated and that certain issues are addressed to make things easier for you. There are many people in that situation,\u201d he added.\n<\/p>\n
He said prison is a place of intense prayer.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cDo you know prison is where prayer answer most?\n<\/p>\n
\u201cI am telling powerful people that when you put someone in a position of authority and they become overwhelmed by power or encounter certain problems, whether legal issues or otherwise, there are things you need to reconsider.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are praying in prison. People will continue praying until they pick a stone and use it to cut themselves till blood is coming out. The person will lick the blood and tell God, \u2018If I am guilty of offense I am here for, let this, and this happen to me.\u2019 But if I don\u2019t know anything about it\u2026\u2019\n<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why I said leaders should be considerate.\n<\/p>\n
\u201cMany sudden deaths are from prison, and they don\u2019t use knives. It is the power of prayer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe person I called No Case. The person that put him there apologised before dying. And the No Case is still in prison,\u201d he said.\n<\/p>\n
The comments come after Baba Ijesha\u2019s release following a conviction.\n<\/p>\n