BBNaija Star Maria Benjamin Breaks Silence on Husband Snatching Saga
Former Big Brother Naija reality star Maria Chike Benjamin has finally addressed the long-standing allegations that she was involved in breaking up another woman's marriage. The controversy, which has followed the celebrity for several years, resurfaced during a recent interview where Benjamin offered her perspective on the sensitive matter.
'I Never Knew He Was Married' - Maria's Defense
During an appearance on Chude Jideonwo's popular interview show, the mother of two opened up about the accusations that have haunted her public image. Maria Benjamin firmly stated that she was completely unaware of Kelvin Anene's marital status when their relationship began. She emphasized that she would never intentionally cause another woman emotional pain, explaining that as a woman herself, she understands the devastation that comes with marital betrayal.
'I could never be the reason for another woman's pain,' Benjamin declared during the interview. 'There were personal circumstances involved that I had no knowledge of at the time, and I don't believe I owe the public detailed explanations about my personal life.'
The reality television personality acknowledged that she isn't claiming sainthood but insisted she understands how painful it is when someone interferes in an existing relationship. She hinted that there are many undisclosed details about the situation but expressed reluctance to reveal them publicly at this time.
Fan Backlash and Social Media Reactions
Benjamin's explanation failed to satisfy many social media users who quickly criticized her defense. Numerous commenters compared her situation to other Nigerian celebrity cases involving alleged husband snatching, particularly referencing Rosy Meurer's relationship with Olakunle Churchill.
One Instagram user, @precious_boat, commented: 'You discovered he was married yet continued the relationship, became pregnant, and kept flaunting him publicly. This generation needs divine intervention.'
Another user, @deragold_, added: 'This sounds exactly like what second wives tell their children - I didn't know your father was married when we met.'
Additional critical responses included:
- @dwaynejr900: 'Is marriage something that can be easily hidden like a cabin biscuit?'
- @ayanzyee: 'Not knowing he was married has become the fashionable excuse these days.'
- @thereal__obehi: 'It's the season for husband snatchers' explanations.'
Related Developments and Family Involvement
The controversy has extended beyond Maria Benjamin herself, with Kelvin Anene's brother becoming involved in unrelated social media drama. Identified online as Iamenergybank, Anene's sibling recently targeted celebrity bartender Cubana Chiefpriest in now-deleted Instagram posts, accusing him of understanding nothing about loyalty.
Notably, during this exchange, Iamenergybank made no attempt to deny the allegations about his brother's relationship with Benjamin, seemingly acknowledging the situation while focusing his criticism elsewhere. This indirect confirmation has added fuel to the ongoing discussion about the nature of Benjamin and Anene's relationship timeline.
The original allegations against Benjamin surfaced several years ago when a woman publicly claimed that the reality star's involvement with her husband led directly to the collapse of their marriage. These accusations gained traction online, creating a persistent narrative that Benjamin has now directly confronted for the first time in a formal interview setting.
As the conversation continues across Nigerian social media platforms, the incident highlights ongoing discussions about accountability, relationship transparency, and the blurred lines between celebrity personal lives and public scrutiny in Nigeria's entertainment landscape.
