In a startling turn of events, Nigerian football star Victor Osimhen has found himself at the center of controversy following accusations of assault and attempted bribery while on a visit to Turkey. The footballer, widely regarded for his prowess with Serie A club Napoli, is alleged to have punched a journalist and attempted to purchase the deletion of incriminating footage captured during the incident.
The accusations were made by a prominent Turkish journalist, who reported that Osimhen physically attacked him after a brief exchange following a public event. The journalist, whose identity has been withheld for safety reasons, claims that the altercation escalated when Osimhen became enraged by the journalist’s line of questioning.
Eyewitnesses report seeing the altercation unfold near a popular venue in Istanbul, where Osimhen was reportedly attending a promotional event. The journalist alleges that after the attack, Osimhen attempted to offer a sum of money in exchange for the footage that had been captured on the journalist's camera.
"We have a duty to report the truth and provide a fair account of what occurred," the journalist said in a statement. "What transpired was an abuse of power and intimidation. No amount of money can erase the reality of what happened."
Local authorities in Istanbul have confirmed that an investigation is underway to address the allegations. A spokesperson from the police department stated, "We take such claims seriously, and will be reviewing the evidence, including any video footage and witness testimonies, as part of a thorough investigation."
Osimhen’s legal team has yet to provide a formal response to the accusations, but sources close to the player have indicated they are exploring possible legal actions in response to what they describe as “false and malicious” claims. Osimhen has not made any public statements on the matter as of this release.