More details have emerged following the alleged assault involving former Big Brother Naija winner, Ilebaye Odiniya, and her father, Emmanuel Odiniya.
Ilebaye’s mother, Lami, disclosed that the reality TV star’s father has now been released by the police after he was earlier taken into custody by officers attached to the Wuye Divisional Police Station in Abuja.
The development comes after disturbing videos surfaced online showing Ilebaye in tears with a visibly swollen face, while her father stood over her during a heated confrontation.
According to Lami, her 32-year marriage to Emmanuel Odiniya had ended, and a court subsequently granted him custody of their two sons, aged 14 and 11.
She explained that Ilebaye had visited her father ahead of her 24th birthday on May 9 to ask him some questions and spend time with her younger brothers, who are said to be in boarding school. However, the conversation reportedly escalated after he allegedly accused Ilebaye of being influenced by her mother.
Lami further stated that after Emmanuel Odiniya’s arrest, the two boys were temporarily handed over to her by the police. She, however, claimed that around 1 a.m., officers allegedly contacted her and insisted the children be returned, citing an existing court order granting their father full custody.
She also dismissed rumours suggesting Ilebaye was under the influence of drugs, adding that the reality star has since been discharged from the hospital after receiving medical treatment and multiple drips to stabilise her condition.
Efforts to get an official response from the Federal Capital Territory Police Command were unsuccessful as police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, could not be reached at the time of filing this report.