Chioma Oniniwu has withdrawn her rape and assault allegations against Singapore-based Nigerian footballer Victor Ebele Jr., more than a year after publicly accusing him of sexual assault.
Oniniwu made the allegations in August 2025, accusing Ebele of rape and assault and claiming that members of his family had harassed her after she sought justice.
She also alleged that she faced mistreatment from police officers when she attempted to report the matter.
However, in a recent video shared online, Oniniwu publicly retracted the allegations and admitted that Ebele did not rape her.
She explained that she was pregnant and frightened when she made the accusations, saying she acted out of fear and concern about being left to deal with the pregnancy and its consequences alone. Oniniwu apologised to Ebele, his brother Frank Ebele and the entire Ebele family, acknowledging that her allegations had caused them pain, embarrassment and reputational damage. She also apologised to the police for her earlier claims and acknowledged that her actions had created unnecessary complications.
Her retraction followed her arrest on August 26, 2026 over allegations of defamation, cyberbullying and false reporting. She was reportedly remanded in custody after appearing in court before later securing bail.
Chat records presented in connection with the dispute reportedly showed that Oniniwu and Ebele had been in a consensual relationship before their relationship deteriorated over financial issues and pregnancy.
The development has renewed concerns about the consequences of making serious allegations on social media, particularly when such claims involve public figures and professional athletes.
The controversy also highlights how allegations circulated online can have significant consequences for an individual’s reputation and career, even before the facts surrounding a dispute are fully established.
By Musekir Faisat OmolaraÂ
