Actor, James Olarenwaju, popularly known as Baba Ijesha; and fashion designer, Abiodun Tokunbo, aka Luminee, have continued to face mixed reactions from the public after a post announcing the birth of their son went viral on Monday, June 15, 2026.
Prior to that, Luminee had announced the gender of her baby without naming the father in a post shared on Saturday, June 13, 2026. She subsequently made other posts, including maternity photos featuring herself and Baba Ijesha. Since then, congratulatory messages have continued to pour in for the couple on the arrival of their child.
Reacting to the news online, many expressed shock that Luminee was pregnant with Baba Ijesha’s child barely seven months after his release from prison, and criticised her for having a child with him.
Baba Ijesha was sentenced to three years imprisonment after being convicted of “indecent treatment of a child and sexual assault of a minor”. He regained his freedom after serving his jail term in November 2025.
A former Big Brother Naija housemate, Angel Smith, who was also in the news recently over a messy squabble with her lesbian lover, commented, “How can you, as a woman, have a baby with a person knowing his crime? You had a child with someone who committed such a vicious crime against another child.”
A social media user, theamybenson, also wrote, “Na inside jail she fall in love with am? This is a prank definitely.”
Ariketooreal wrote, “I’m not against the fact that they just welcomed a child, but what is all this charade? What’s this drama with your history still staring at us in the face? Don’t you people have advisers? Who is supposed to go undercover and live a private life if not you? You want to stage a comeback, and you have to involve an innocent baby? If shame was a person…”
However, some people expressed joy and excitement over the news.
Among them was dancer and singer, Yeni Kuti, who said, “I see nothing wrong with it. I actually know her; she made my 60th birthday dress.”
Another user, abudamilola8, wrote, “Congratulations on your beautiful bundle of joy! What a wonderful blessing. May your baby bring you endless love, laughter and happiness. Wishing your family all the best.”
Actress, Annie Macaulay, who also congratulated the couple, later recounted the backlash she received for doing so.
She wrote, “What’s going on? Pls guys, I do not understand. The lady made a nice dress for me a few months ago. I honestly do not know what’s going on, guys. Saw her post on my TL about just having a baby and dropped a heart as congrats! Am I missing something? What did I do wrong? Cos I’m genuinely lost o. Why the plenty insults, guys? I honestly do not know anything at all about her personal life beyond the fact that she made the pretty dress I wore to AFRIMA. Pls, can someone enlighten me? Cos I truly do not know or have any idea what’s up!”
Others defended the couple despite the criticism directed at them.
In an interview with Saturday Beats, actor Yomi Fabiyi called for support for Baba Ijesha rather than the negativity that has surrounded him since the birth of his son.
He said, “Baba Ijesha is a raw talent. Whether wrongly convicted or otherwise, he is reunited with society, and he must be supported to survive and fend for himself. I know a boxer who was sentenced for rape. He came out and was given a chance. That chance will have no negative impact, provided he is a better person. I reckon he still has a huge fan base, and they will still support him.”
Fabiyi also advised the actor to “simply ignore and move on with the family he has built. It is obvious he has left where his enemies thought the organised crime would keep him.”
On X, @oluomoofderby wrote, “Tiana Krasniqi ties the knot with fiancé James Broadnax, a convicted double murderer on death row. Many women are married to prisoners, and some even seek them out for relationships. ‘Death row pen pals’ is a thing for a reason. Nothing should surprise anyone about CEO Luminee. She’s not the first, and she won’t be the last, to start a family with a convicted person.”
Another user, faclothingss, commented, “Everybody deserves a second chance in life. Some people condemning this man have done something worse in the past. Let love lead.”
Similarly, mhis_tomi02 wrote, “I sha like as all of una dey act like saints online. This lady most likely couldn’t have a child for over 12 years and now she has one. Make she remove it because of you online people who also used to troll her for having just one child? Una life ehn.”