Nigerian soccer star Victor Osimhen is pursuing legal action against Turkish journalist Tolga Bozduman following allegations of assault. The incident reportedly occurred on the night of January 22, 2025, as Osimhen was exiting a nightclub in Istanbul with friends.
Bozduman claims he was taking photographs of Osimhen alongside three colleagues when the athlete abruptly turned towards him. According to Bozduman, Osimhen attempted to seize his camera and subsequently struck him in retaliation to perceived provocation. The journalist further alleges that Osimhen issued threats when his request to delete the video was declined and that he offered money in exchange for its removal.
In response to these allegations, Osimhen has categorically denied any wrongdoing and has initiated legal proceedings to address what he describes as defamatory statements. His legal representatives have filed a lawsuit against Bozduman, citing defamation and the dissemination of false information intended to damage Osimhen’s reputation.
A statement from Osimhen’s legal team asserts that the accusations are baseless and have significantly affected both his professional and personal life. They emphasize that Osimhen has consistently conducted himself with integrity and respect, both on and off the field.
This incident is not the first instance of Osimhen encountering issues with media portrayal. In September 2023, he threatened legal action against his former club, Napoli, after a video mocking him was posted on their official TikTok account. Although the video was later removed, it featured a manipulated voice-over of Osimhen’s missed penalty, which his agent claimed caused “very serious damage to the player.”
Additionally, in August 2020, Osimhen publicly addressed a Nigerian magazine regarding the misrepresentation of an interview. Initially, he had declined to participate and expressed his displeasure on social media, but he later issued an apology for his choice of words.
These incidents highlight the complex relationship between the media and public figures, underscoring the challenges athletes face in managing their public image amid intense media scrutiny.
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