Lagos, Nigeria – In a recent turn of events, the winner of the BBNaija Level-Up edition, Ijeoma Josephina Otabor, popularly known as Phyna, has broken her silence on the highly publicized altercation that occurred during the reunion show with her co-star, Chichi.
During the reunion show, tensions flared as Phyna made shocking allegations against Chichi, accusing her of being a married mother of two who had allegedly abandoned her children in Benin. Furthermore, Phyna took to social media after the show aired, making claims that Chichi had paid a hefty sum of N3.5 million for liposuction and had purportedly poisoned a friend in Cyprus due to jealousy before returning to Nigeria.
Chichi, not taking these allegations lightly, promptly filed a lawsuit against Phyna, seeking N100 million in damages and a public apology.
However, in an exclusive interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, Phyna offered her side of the story, shedding light on the events leading up to the altercation and the subsequent legal action.
Phyna clarified that her explosive response to Chichi was not unprovoked. She detailed that it was a reaction to offensive comments Chichi had made about her, comments that were never aired by the BBNaija organizers. According to Phyna, Chichi had body-shamed her and went as far as calling her an “abortionist” while making other derogatory remarks.
In her own words during the interview, Phyna stated, “The way I attacked her, they should have known she said something; that part was mute. Because the previous day, you body-shamed me, you called me shapeless and saggy boobs. That’s why I had to use strong words to remind her that she would remember in her heart and brain. You can’t be body-shaming me when I have a natural body.”
Phyna further addressed the N100 million lawsuit, expressing her unwavering resolve to face it head-on. She explained, “Two days later, she is suing me in court for N100 million for libel and defamation of character. I called my lawyer that if we didn’t reply to the lawsuit, what would happen? My lawyer said if we didn’t reply within 7 days, she could charge me in court. The next day I bought a suit to prepare for court.”
What exactly led to such bitterness and vitriol at the #BBNaija reunion – and how did good friends suddenly become sworn enemies, blocking each other on the phone, and suing one the other to court for N100 million?
What exactly happened in the house and in South Africa?
Phyna… pic.twitter.com/UdNJrcpIlZ
— Chude Jideonwo (@Chude) September 7, 2023