BBNaija’s Sammie has denied claims he defrauded a businessman of ₦4.4 million for auditions.
The alleged victim, Emmanuel Idakwo, says he paid believing Sammie could secure him a slot.
Former Big Brother Naija Season 6 housemate, Samuel Alifa, popularly known as Sammie, has denied allegations that he defrauded a businessman of ₦4.4 million in connection with an audition for the reality TV show.
The accusation was made by Emmanuel Idakwo, who claimed that Sammie tricked him into paying the money under the pretense of securing him a spot in the BBNaija house.
In an interview with Punch, Idakwo said he believed Sammie because they both hail from Kogi State and share the same Igala ethnic background. Although he was aware that BBNaija organizers do not collect money for auditions, he agreed to Sammie’s offer because he believed it was a new “shortcut” to get on the show.
Idakwo claimed Sammie informed him that a payment had already been made on his behalf. He said Sammie convinced him the money was refundable, even if he didn’t make it into the house. To meet the demand, Idakwo said he sold his car and paid Sammie over ₦4 million in 16 instalments.
“I asked why he would pay without my consent, and he assured me I shouldn’t worry. He said I’d get a refund whether or not I made it to the house. That’s how he convinced me,” Idakwo explained.
However, things reportedly fell apart when the audition attempt failed, and Sammie was unable to return the money, prompting Idakwo to go public with the allegation.
In response, Sammie denied the claims, insisting that he neither took money under false pretenses nor promised Idakwo a slot on the reality show.
“I truly appreciate your concern and your interest in hearing my side of the story. However, just as I’ve shared with other journalists, I would prefer not to speak on this matter at the moment. I want to be clear that I did not scam anyone, nor did I promise to get him on the show,” Sammie said.
