Lami Calista, mother of Big Brother Naija All Stars winner, Ilebaye Odiniya, has spoken about fresh claims surrounding her family dispute, saying her daughter’s father allegedly asked for ₦30 million before allowing her return home.
She made the statement in a video shared online while reacting to a clip that went viral, where she appeared to distance herself from her daughter and blamed her for their strained relationship.
In the earlier viral recording, she was heard expressing deep anger and saying she no longer wanted contact with her daughter, while also blaming her for taking sides in the family conflict.
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However, in her latest explanation, she said the video had been misunderstood. According to her, it was part of an arrangement between her and Ilebaye meant to expose ongoing issues within the family and not a real rejection.
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She further claimed that the father sent their daughter out of the house and insisted she would only be accepted back on the condition that she pays ₦30 million. She added that she tried to intervene and begged him to allow the girl back home, with the promise that the issue would be settled later.
Lami also appealed to Nigerians not to attack or judge her daughter based on what is circulating online. She said Ilebaye has been dealing with serious family problems away from social media and has been under emotional pressure.
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She added that her daughter’s absence from online platforms is linked to the challenges she is facing at home, and that she only reached out for help because of the situation she was going through.
She said, “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.
“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.
“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.”
“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,” She said.
This comes shortly after the Federal Capital Territory Police Command confirmed the arrest of Emmanuel Odiniya following an alleged assault incident involving Ilebaye at a residence in Wuye, Abuja.
