Former Big Brother Naija housemate Segun Olusemo, popularly known as Sheggz, has denied claims that he depended financially on his former girlfriend, Bella Okagbue, saying he paid 70 per cent of their expenses during their relationship.

Sheggz made the statement during a street interview with social commentator Oyemykke in London, which was shared online on Sunday, October 4, 2026, weeks after the former couple's breakup became the subject of a public dispute over their finances.

Asked whether his alleged “gigolo” lifestyle was something he picked up in Nigeria or while growing up in London, Sheggz rejected the description and pointed to his work and properties as evidence of his financial independence.

“I have my house in London and I have my house in Banana Island, Lagos. I've been balling since way back,” he said.

Sheggz said he and Bella both contributed financially during their relationship but maintained that he covered the larger share of their expenses.

“I don't understand, like I gave everything I could give. I'm not saying she is lying. She brought stuff to the table. 70/30. She's a woman, she works as well. She's a star too. We're both stars. Did she collect money from me? I did more. I'm the man, I'm the provider. She lived with me, I provided everything for her. Like I gave her cars, I did everything for her. I loved her to bits. That was the love of my life,” he said.

Sheggz also said the financial narrative surrounding the relationship became more prominent because the relationship ended without the couple getting married.

“If we got married, this wouldn't be a conversation. Because we didn't get married, now, everybody is saying crazy stuff,” he said.

Sheggz and Bella met as housemates during the 2022 “Level Up” season of Big Brother Naija and continued their relationship after leaving the reality show. The pair, who became popularly known as “SheLLa”, remained together for about four years and spent part of their relationship living together in the United Kingdom.

Sheggz announced in August that the relationship had ended in January 2026, attributing the breakup to unresolved issues of trust and respect. He denied cheating on or abusing Bella and said he had remained single since their separation.

He also disclosed that he had bought an engagement ring because he believed their relationship would eventually lead to marriage.

Bella responded to his statement days later, saying she had received “hundreds of promises” from Sheggz but that none had been fulfilled. She said wanting to marry someone she loved was not desperation and added that “a ring doesn't fix what made a relationship impossible.”

The disagreement subsequently moved beyond the former couple's statements into a legal dispute.

Sheggz's lawyers issued a cease-and-desist and defamation notice to Bella, accusing her of making false and defamatory statements about him and his family. The notice reportedly demanded that she stop making the statements, remove the disputed content, retract the allegations and apologise.

Bella's lawyers rejected the claims as “spurious and baseless” and alleged that Sheggz had obtained several loans from their client under false pretences. They said they had evidence to support the allegations and were prepared to pursue the matter in court.

In a pre-action notice reported by Premium Times in August, Bella's lawyers reportedly demanded repayment of alleged loans totalling £10,166 and ₦19.826 million. The notice also raised allegations concerning an alleged breach of promise to marry and domestic abuse.

Sheggz has denied allegations of domestic abuse and maintained that he made substantial financial contributions during the relationship. Reports citing documents from his legal team said an audit of his UK accounts showed that he spent about £220,000 of his personal funds on Bella while they lived in the United Kingdom.

His legal team reportedly described him as the principal provider during the relationship while acknowledging that Bella also made financial contributions.

The financial dispute resurfaced publicly on October 2 after former BBNaija winner Phyna criticised Sheggz in a video and alleged that he had failed to repay Bella ₦11 million.

Phyna also alleged that Bella had financed several aspects of Sheggz's lifestyle, including food, clothing, rent and subscriptions, and described him as a “gigolo”. Sheggz's latest comments came shortly after those allegations circulated online.

Sheggz has now disputed that account, maintaining that he was financially independent before his relationship with Bella and that he contributed more to their shared expenses.

He also said he gave Bella cars and provided for her during their relationship, describing her as “the love of my life”.

The allegations exchanged by the former couple and their representatives remain disputed, and no court has ruled on the claims involving the alleged loans, abuse, breach of promise to marry or defamation.