Hon. Emmanuel Odiniya, father of former Ilebaye Odiniya winner Ilebaye Odiniya, has broken his silence over the viral family controversy involving allegations of assault against his daughter and other family members.
In a lengthy public statement, Odiniya admitted to physically assaulting the reality TV star during a heated confrontation but claimed the incident was triggered by what he described as repeated acts of disrespect, family disputes and concerns over her lifestyle following her rise to fame after winning the Big Brother Naija All Stars edition.
The controversy erupted after videos and allegations surfaced online accusing the father of physically abusing Ilebaye and her siblings, sparking outrage on social media and calls for an investigation by rights groups and concerned Nigerians.
Reacting to the allegations, Odiniya said he had always been supportive of his daughter, especially during her participation in the reality television show.
“I contributed a lot and stood by my daughter, and made sure people voted for her massively,” he said. “After she successfully came out and won, she changed.”
According to him, their relationship deteriorated after her victory, alleging that Ilebaye became distant and stopped responding to his calls despite several attempts to reconnect with her.
He claimed he had advised the reality TV star to use part of her earnings to support the less privileged and appreciate those who supported her during the competition, but said his suggestions were ignored.
Odiniya also expressed concern over what he described as her changing lifestyle, including cosmetic procedures and the kind of company she keeps.
“I told my daughter the nature of friends she’s making doesn’t align with our culture, but my daughter still wouldn’t listen,” he said.
The father further alleged that disagreements within the family frequently escalated into confrontations, claiming that Ilebaye had physically attacked him on previous occasions.
“One day she took AC anger and hit me with it till blood started gushing out of my body,” he alleged.
Speaking on the viral assault video, Odiniya admitted to hitting his daughter, saying he acted out of anger after enduring repeated insults and provocations.
He also accused Ilebaye of refusing to assist him financially during a medical trip to Dubai despite his health challenges, including high blood pressure treatment.
“I told my daughter to borrow me money and that when I get back, I will pay her back. My daughter told me she doesn’t have,” he said, adding that he later saw videos of her spraying money at a wedding ceremony.
Odiniya further opened up on longstanding marital problems with Ilebaye’s mother, alleging that she frequently left the family home for extended periods before eventually returning after interventions from religious leaders.
According to him, Ilebaye initially supported his decision to divorce her mother before later opposing him over the matter.
He confirmed that he was arrested after the incident, but said the matter was initially resolved privately before police authorities invited him again for further questioning.
Despite the controversy, Odiniya appealed to Nigerians to forgive both him and his daughter, expressing hope that the family crisis would be resolved amicably.
“I’m pleading with everyone to put me in prayers so Ilebaye can change for good,” he said.
The allegations and counter-allegations surrounding the family dispute have continued to generate widespread reactions online, with many Nigerians calling for accountability, while others urged both parties to seek reconciliation and professional intervention.
