Destiny Etiko Faces Backlash Over Baba Ijesha's Newborn Celebration
Nigerian actress Destiny Etiko has found herself at the centre of a fresh controversy after she congratulated actor Baba Ijesha on the birth of his newborn child. The embattled actor was previously imprisoned for allegedly molesting a minor.
Legit.ng recalls that Baba Ijesha, a Yoruba actor, was arrested and later convicted for sexually assaulting a minor. After serving his prison term, he announced that he had welcomed a baby boy with celebrity stylist Luminee. In his announcement, he stated that God had been writing his story and had given him more than he prayed for: a wife and now a son. Luminee also expressed her excitement and affirmed her love for Ijesha, describing him as one in a million with a pure heart.
Destiny Etiko joined other celebrities in celebrating the couple. She commented on Luminee's post, writing, “My woman.” Other celebrities like Bisola Badmus and Yomi Fabiyi also sent congratulatory messages. However, Etiko's comment drew significant backlash from netizens who condemned her for supporting a convicted sex offender.
Netizens React to Destiny Etiko's Comments
Many social media users expressed disappointment in Etiko's actions. One user, Iferuby, asked, “@destinyetikoofficial are u for real?” Another user, Loveth M, wrote: “He has served his term; it doesn’t stop that he is a sex offender and one of the consequences of such heavy crime is the stigma follows it forever… Please let’s be wary of things we support, especially publicly. If your daughter ever gets assaulted, you wouldn’t want anyone to say what you’re confidently saying.” User emraaj also commented, “@destinyetikoofficial shey gbogbo e de wa okay?”
Destiny Etiko's Previous Controversies
This is not the first time Destiny Etiko has been embroiled in controversy. Earlier, she broke her silence after edited pictures of her in a bandage in an operating room went viral on Facebook. The images surfaced after Ghanaian seer Karma President spoke about her alleged involvement in body enhancement and warned her against further surgery. In a video shared on June 9, 2026, Etiko slammed netizens behind the viral pictures, calling social media toxic and denying any plans for surgery.
She also addressed a video fueling rumors of a renewed feud with her colleague Lizzy Gold. Etiko explained that the video was from years back when they agreed to promote their YouTube channels. She stated, “My friend Lizzy and I will never fight, so stop wasting your energy looking for a dispute where peace and love live in abundance.”
Baba Ijesha's Prison Release and Newborn
Baba Ijesha was released from prison earlier this year after serving time for molesting a minor. His announcement of a newborn with Luminee sparked mixed reactions, with some condemning the couple and others offering support. The actor has maintained that he has changed and is grateful for a second chance at life.
Destiny Etiko's decision to publicly celebrate the couple has reignited debates about forgiveness and accountability in the Nigerian entertainment industry. While some argue that Baba Ijesha has paid his debt to society, others believe that supporting him sends the wrong message about sexual offenses.
