Lami Calista, mother of Big Brother Naija All Stars winner Ilebaye Odiniya, has reacted to a viral video recording in which she appeared to disown her daughter.
In the recording, Lami was heard blaming her daughter and warning her not to contact her again.
“Ilebaye don’t look for me, because if I die today, you have contribute to my death. Hold your father that you love so much,” she had said.
“You’re always protecting your father that you love so much. I am not your mother. This is the end even if I die, don’t look for me. I disown you today.”
However, in a video shared online, Lami said the recording was misunderstood and claimed it was part of a planned effort between herself and Ilebaye due to ongoing family tensions.
“I want to clear something that popped up yesterday about me abandoning her in that video. Yes, I made that video, I have my reasons for making that video,” she said.
“It was a plan work between I and my daughter to put out that video. The father is always saying it is Baye that is taking me out of his house.”
Lami further alleged that the reality TV star’s father, Emmanuel Odiniya, forced Ilebaye out of his house and demanded N30 million before allowing her return.
“The father drove her out of the house too that since I left, she should leave the house too. The father told her that before he can accept her back into the house, she has to give him N30 million. I came and I begged him to allow her in that later she will give him the money,” she added.
Appealing to Nigerians not to criticise her daughter, Lami said Ilebaye had been struggling with family issues away from social media.
“I beg you people Nigerians, you people should not judge her, that girl has been through a lot. I am not coming out here to receive a pity vote from you people. I am here to tell the truth.
“If you were in her shoes, I don’t think you can take what she is taking. If you see she is not on social media, it is because she is battling with family issues in the house.
“If not that she called for help, she won’t have survived it that night. Thank you and God bless you.”
The development comes days after the Federal Capital Territory Police Command confirmed the arrest of Emmanuel Odiniya following an alleged assault on Ilebaye at a residence in Wuye, Abuja.
A disturbing video which surfaced online showed the reality TV star crying and pleading for help while displaying visible swelling on her face. Police officers later rescued her and took her to the NNPC Hospital in Abuja for treatment.
Police spokesperson Josephine Adeh said officers responded to a distress call in the early hours of May 9 and found Ilebaye with visible bruises. Emmanuel was subsequently taken into custody while investigations began into the incident.
Emmanuel later claimed he was provoked during a family confrontation, insisting the dispute came from frustration over what he described as changes in his daughter’s behaviour after she won the reality show.
Ilebaye rose to fame after winning the 2023 edition of Big Brother Naija All Stars, taking home the grand prize worth N120 million. Since the incident, several former BBNaija housemates, including Phyna and Beauty Tukura, have publicly called for support and justice for her.
