He is known for his starring role as NYPD Detective J. C. Williams on the Fox police drama New York Undercover and as Yul Brenner in the film Cool Runnings.

He appeared as former FBI agent Bill Harken on the Syfy drama series Alphas, as Jim Hudson in Revolution, and as Vernon Turner in Empire.

He also starred in the role of FBI Deputy Director Jason Atwood in the ABC political drama Designated Survivor.

[8] In 1994, Yoba began his role on the popular Fox police drama series New York Undercover, opposite Michael DeLorenzo.

[9] Yoba's work on New York Undercover earned him three consecutive NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series (in 1996, 1997, and 1998).

An accomplished singer and stage actor, Yoba's talents were showcased in His Woman His Wife, in which he had the lead role.

He has made appearances on the FOX television series Arrested Development as Ice, a bounty hunter whose real love is party planning.

It has since been alleged by trans activist Mariah Lopez Ebony that Yoba engaged in inappropriate paid sexual activity with her when she was a minor.