BBNaija Star Ilebaye’s Father Speaks on Family Clash, Alleges Assault

Emmanuel Odiniya, father of former Big Brother Naija All-Stars winner Ilebaye Odiniya, has spoken publicly following the controversy surrounding an alleged domestic altercation involving the reality television star at their Abuja residence.

The incident attracted widespread attention after a viral video showed Ilebaye in distress with visible swelling on her face while calling for help during a heated confrontation at home.

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command had earlier confirmed the arrest of Odiniya over alleged assault, stating that investigations were ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

However, in a voice recording circulated online and reportedly shared by journalist Jeremiah Ocheme on Facebook, Odiniya denied harbouring ill feelings toward his daughter, insisting that the disagreement stemmed from prolonged family tensions.

“I want to set the record straight: what led to that incident was not that I don’t love my daughter. She is one of my best children,” he said.

According to him, he played an active role in supporting Ilebaye during her participation in the BBNaija reality show, mobilising support and votes until she eventually emerged winner of the All-Stars edition.

“During her time in the Big Brother Naija house, I contributed a lot. I stood by my daughter and made sure people voted for her massively. I used my influence and connections, including governors and other prominent figures, to support her until she won,” he stated.

Odiniya alleged that their relationship deteriorated after the reality star gained fame and financial success from the competition.

He claimed that Ilebaye became increasingly distant and allegedly stopped according him respect as her father.

“After she came out and won, she changed. Ilebaye stopped listening to me. I would book appointments with her five or six times a week, and she wouldn’t give me an audience. She stopped regarding me as her father,” he alleged.

The father also criticised some of the lifestyle choices allegedly made by the reality TV personality, particularly regarding cosmetic enhancement procedures.

“I warned her against getting cosmetic surgery — face reconstruction with fillers and a BBL. She’s too young for that,” he said.

Odiniya further claimed that his daughter had previously assaulted him during earlier disagreements within the family.

“She has hit me twice, and I didn’t do anything to her. One day, she took an AC hanger and hit me with it until blood started gushing out of my body,” he alleged.

Speaking on the latest confrontation that sparked public outrage, he alleged that the disagreement escalated after he approached her for financial assistance to address health challenges.

“In this recent incident, she insulted me, hit me first with a sea hanger, causing bleeding, pushed me, and then broke an electric lantern on my head,” he claimed.

“I am very sick and need medical treatment in Dubai. I called Ilebaye to help me with some money and promised to refund her. She said she didn’t have money. But I saw a video of her spraying bundles of naira at a colleague’s wedding.”

The disturbing video involving the reality star had triggered concern among fans and social media users, many of whom demanded an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Authorities have yet to release the outcome of the ongoing investigation as of the time of filing this report.