The mother of former Ilebaye Odiniya winner, Ms. Lami Calista, has responded to the viral allegations made by her ex-husband, Emmanuel Odiniya, against their daughter, insisting that the reality TV star has financially supported her father over the years and never abandoned him as claimed.
In a voice recording that surfaced online, Emmanuel Odiniya accused Ilebaye of neglecting him financially despite winning the N120 million grand prize at the 2023 edition of the reality TV show. He alleged that she refused to support his medical treatment while spending lavishly on friends and colleagues, including spraying money at the wedding of fellow reality star Cross Okonkwo.
Reacting to the controversy, Ms. Calista described the accusations as false and misleading. According to her, the disagreement between father and daughter began after Ilebaye refused to hand over all the money she won from the reality show and also declined to give her father N50 million from the prize money.
She claimed that contrary to his public allegations, Ilebaye had spent millions supporting his health and welfare since leaving the show.
“When Ilebaye came out of the house, she gave the father N7 million when he was going for treatment in India in 2023. Last year, when he travelled again, she gave him another N5 million. He later complained that the money was not enough and she still sent an additional N3 million,” she alleged.
Ms. Calista further stated that the reality star consistently supports her father financially beyond the medical expenses, adding that she also pays the school fees of her two younger brothers, which she said cost millions of naira.
She questioned why her ex-husband appeared fixated on Ilebaye’s earnings despite allegedly receiving financial assistance from her multiple times.
“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. He has money, so why is he focusing on what the child has?” she said.
The mother also alleged that there had been previous attempts by her ex-husband to control how Ilebaye spends her money, including allegedly stopping the reality star from opening a business for her.
“This girl wanted to open a shop for me but the father refused, saying until he gives permission, she has no right to open a shop for me. Did I complain publicly? No. But the truth needs to be said,” she added.
Addressing another allegation made by Emmanuel Odiniya, who reportedly accused Ilebaye of giving drugs to her younger brother, Ms. Calista dismissed the claim entirely and described it as an attempt to damage both the reality star’s image and that of the young boy.
According to her, the incident being referenced involved an empty shisha pen allegedly found in Ilebaye’s room by her younger brother, who then took it to school out of curiosity.
“What happened is far from what the father said. The boy found an empty pen shisha in her room and took it to school to show his classmates because he did not know what it was. Another student reported it and the school addressed the matter. He was warned and the issue was settled. He was not expelled,” she explained.
She further claimed that the matter was discussed at the Commissioner of Police’s office and that the boy himself reportedly stated that the item was not drugs.
“Is Ilebaye stupid to give a 14-year-old child drugs? Why would she do that?” she questioned.
Ms. Calista also denied allegations that Ilebaye secretly underwent cosmetic surgery without her father’s consent. According to her, there has been no noticeable change in the reality star’s appearance to support such claims.
“It is a lie. Look at her old pictures and compare them with her recent pictures. Does she look like someone who underwent cosmetic surgery? I don’t know why a father would make such claims about his own daughter,” she said.
She alleged that Emmanuel Odiniya had threatened on different occasions to “deal with” Ilebaye and suggested that the recent accusations may have been triggered by an emotional live video the reality star recently shared online.
The controversy surrounding the family dispute has continued to generate mixed reactions on social media, with many Nigerians debating the responsibilities successful children owe their parents, especially after attaining fame and financial success.
Story Source: Lindaikejisblog