Ms Lami Calista, mother of Ilebaye Odiniya, has reacted to allegations made by the reality star’s father, Emmanuel Odiniya, regarding financial support and other accusations against his daughter.
Recall that in a viral voice recording, Mr Odiniya had alleged that Ilebaye failed to support him financially despite winning ₦120 million after emerging winner of Big Brother Naija All Stars in 2023.
He also accused her of lavish spending and made claims involving her younger brother.
However, speaking in a chat with LIB, Ms Lami dismissed the allegations and claimed her daughter had spent millions supporting her father’s medical treatment, including trips to India.
According to her, the dispute allegedly began after Ilebaye refused to hand over all her prize money and declined to give her father ₦50 million.
‘’When Ilebaye came out of the house, she gave the father N7m when he was going for his treatment in India. This was in 2023. Even when he was going last year, she gave him N5 million as well. The father still called and said the money wasn’t enough. Ilebaye had to send extra N3 million to him. That is asides the N1 million she gives to him”
She also stated that Ilebaye pays the school fees of her younger brothers, which she said cost millions of naira.
‘’Must she give him all the money? How much did he spend when she went to Big Brother? I am surprised he is putting his eyes on the money of the girl. I am surprised! He has money. Why is he putting his eyes on the one the child has? Is he not ashamed? If he is complaining, what of me the mother? This girl wanted to open a shop for me, the father refused, saying until he gives permission, she has no right to open a shop for me. Did I complain? Have I one day complained? I am sorry to bring this out but the truth has to be said”
Addressing claims that Ilebaye allegedly introduced her younger brother to drugs, Ms Lami denied the allegation and explained what she said truly happened.
‘’The father just lied on this innocent boy and for people to be using one kind of eye to be looking at this innocent child, just because he wants to spoil the name of his daughter.
What happened is far from what the father said. The brother found an empty pen shisha in her room when she wasn’t around and he went to school with it and was showing his classmates if they know what it was. One of the students went to report and they spoke and then thrashed the issue and they warned him. They did not even expel him. We were in the CP’s office today and the boy testified that it wasn’t drug.
Is Ilebaye stupid to give a 14 year old child drugs? Is she stupid?‘’
On allegations that Ilebaye secretly underwent cosmetic surgery, the mother also denied the claims.
‘’It is a lie! Does her bumbum or face look like something that underwent a cosmetic surgery? Look her old picture and look at her present picture, does it look different? Does her face look like someone that had cosmetic surgery? I don’t know why a Father will just come out and say such just because the daughter cried for help and put out a live video, that is why he is pained and just wants to come out to destroy her image.”
Speaking on the emotional impact of the allegations on her daughter, Ms Lami said:
‘’To accuse someone of taking drugs, do you know the implication? Do you know how the world will look at her? That alone has really broken her. You can l!e against her that she is a prost!tution or others, it doesn’t take anything away from a lady but to say drugs and giving the younger brother drugs, that alone just ‘k!lled’ her. And coming from her own father, people will believe what he is saying.
I know people will not believe me. They will say I am just defending my daughter, Just like I said, everyone has their own flaws. Ilebaye is stubborn but she is not one to take drugs. If you see somebody taking drugs, you will know.
She is always in her room, minding her business. She doesn’t even like coming to social media because she is scared of being dragged, That is why you see her minding her business. Does she look like a rascal?” she asked.