The mother of BBNaija winner Ilebaye Odiniya, Lami Odiniya, has confirmed that the reality TV star’s father, Emmanuel Odiniya, has been released from police custody following an alleged assault incident involving his daughter.
Mr. Odiniya was reportedly detained at the Wuye Divisional Police Station after a viral video surfaced online showing Ilebaye visibly distressed with a swollen face while her father stood nearby.
Speaking on the incident, Lami explained that the altercation occurred when Ilebaye visited her father’s residence to see her younger brothers and discuss issues ahead of her 24th birthday, which she marks today.
According to her, tensions escalated during the conversation after Mr. Odiniya allegedly accused the reality star of being “engineered” by her mother.
“The discussion became heated after he claimed Ilebaye was being manipulated by me,” Lami said.
The incident has drawn public attention to the strained relationship between the former couple following the collapse of their 32-year marriage.
Lami disclosed that a court had previously granted Emmanuel Odiniya custody of their two sons, aged 11 and 14.
She further revealed that after Mr. Odiniya’s arrest earlier in the day, the boys were temporarily handed over to her before police later ordered that they be returned to their father in line with the court ruling.
“At about 9am, the police instructed that the boys be taken back to their father because of the subsisting court order,” she stated.
Lami also dismissed online speculation suggesting that Ilebaye was under the influence of drugs during the incident.
She confirmed that the BBNaija star has since been discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment, including multiple intravenous drips to stabilize her condition.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, SP Josephine Adeh, were unsuccessful as calls placed to her phone were not answered at the time this report was filed.
