BBNaija’s Sammie Denies ₦4.4M Audition Scam Allegation, Says “I Didn’t Scam Anyone”
Former Big Brother Naija Season 6 housemate, Samuel Alifa, popularly known as Sammie, has strongly denied allegations that he defrauded a businessman of ₦4.4 million in a failed attempt to secure a spot on the reality show.
This comes after Emmanuel Idakwo, a businessman from Kogi State, alleged that Sammie exploited their tribal and regional ties to trick him into paying millions in what was presented as a “new backdoor” route into the BBNaija house.
💰 “I Sold My Car to Fund the Dream” – Idakwo’s Side
In an interview with Punch, Idakwo revealed that he trusted Sammie based on his previous BBNaija experience and their shared Igala heritage. Despite knowing that the show doesn’t officially charge for auditions, he said Sammie convinced him that things had changed, and that there was now a “new twist” involving refundable payments.
“He said I shouldn’t be scared, that the money was refundable — even if I didn’t make it into the house,” Idakwo claimed.
“He said he had paid on my behalf already. I ended up paying him back in 16 instalments, selling my car in the process.”
His suspicions grew when Sammie allegedly failed to refund the money after the audition plan fell through.
🗣️ Sammie Responds: “I Did Not Scam Anyone”
Responding to the allegations, Sammie issued a measured statement, neither confirming nor fully addressing the details of the accusations — but firmly rejecting claims of fraud.
“I truly appreciate your concern and your interest in hearing my side of the story,” he said.
“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.”
His refusal to go into details may be strategic, possibly due to ongoing discussions with legal counsel or a pending investigation.
💭 Opinion – BBNaija Fame and the Price of Desperation
This incident reveals the dark side of fame and influence in Nigeria’s entertainment space. While reality stars often gain celebrity status overnight, their popularity can lead some people to idolize them or believe they have insider access, which can spiral into exploitation — intentional or not.
Idakwo’s story speaks to the desperation of many young Nigerians who see BBNaija as a ticket to success, even to the point of risking their life savings. And while Sammie insists on his innocence, his involvement — whether directly exploitative or naively informal — raises serious questions.
⚖️ What's Next?
The case underscores the need for transparency around BBNaija’s audition process and calls for better protection of aspiring contestants from fraudulent middlemen or informal “connect” culture.
Until more facts emerge, the court of public opinion remains divided — and both parties may have more to explain in the coming weeks.
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