Police Release Ilebaye’s Father From Custody

The mother of Big Brother Naija winner Ilebaye has disclosed that her ex-husband, Emmanuel Odiniya, has been released from police custody following his arrest over the widely condemned assault on their daughter — and that officers subsequently compelled her to return the couple’s two young sons to him, citing an existing court custody order.

Lami Odiniya disclosed this in a statement that has added fresh dimensions to an already emotionally charged family crisis, which first came to public attention after a viral video showed Ilebaye with a visibly swollen and injured face during an Instagram livestream on the night of May 9.

Emmanuel had been taken into custody at the Wuye Divisional Police Station in Abuja after the footage sparked widespread outrage across Nigeria. However, Lami confirmed that he has since been freed.

According to Lami, her daughter had visited the family home to see her younger brothers — aged 11 and 14 — and to discuss arrangements for her 24th birthday celebration, when events took a violent turn.

She said the confrontation escalated after Emmanuel allegedly accused Ilebaye of acting under her mother’s influence.

Following his arrest, Lami said the two boys were temporarily placed in her care. However, she revealed that police subsequently directed that the children be returned to their father on the basis of an earlier court ruling that had granted him custody of the minors — a development she appeared to find deeply troubling given the circumstances.

Lami also moved to counter speculation circulating on social media that Ilebaye had been under the influence of drugs during the incident, firmly dismissing the claims.

She confirmed that the reality television star has since been discharged from hospital, where she had been treated and placed on intravenous drips to stabilise her condition.

The incident has thrown a spotlight on the bitter fallout from the collapse of Emmanuel and Lami’s 32-year marriage, with the welfare of their children now at the centre of an intensifying public and legal debate.

Attempts to obtain a response from the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report, as calls placed to her line went unanswered.

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