TikTok Live fundraising sessions hosted on the platform operated by Wale Maryam are facing increasing scrutiny following allegations from donors and participants who claim that funds raised during live broadcasts were not consistently acknowledged or fully disbursed to their intended beneficiaries.

The controversy, which has unfolded across several livestream discussions and recorded videos circulating on Facebook and TikTok, centres on how money raised during emotional, real-time appeals on TikTok Live is handled, tracked and accounted for.

How the TikTok Live Fundraising Works

According to contributors familiar with the platform, Wale Maryam’s TikTok Live sessions regularly feature individuals seeking financial assistance. These may include widows, students, single mothers, or small traders experiencing hardship.

During the livestreams:

• Beneficiaries are invited on screen to explain their situation

• Viewers are encouraged to donate immediately by transferring funds to a bank account displayed during the live session

• Donations are often acknowledged verbally by the host as they come in

In some cases, moderators help track contributions and engage with donors in the comment section

The informal nature of the process has made the platform popular, attracting thousands of viewers and significant sums within short periods. However, critics argue that the same informality has also created gaps in transparency and accountability.

The ₦50,000 Donation That Sparked Wider Questions

One of the most frequently cited incidents occurred during a TikTok Live session on 9 December 2025 at about 6:41pm. A donor and moderator identified as Victoria Omodara said she transferred ₦50,000 to the account displayed during the livestream.

According to her account, smaller donations made before and after her transfer were verbally acknowledged on air. However, she claims her ₦50,000 contribution was never mentioned, despite her repeatedly requesting confirmation in the comment section.

She further alleged that after tagging the host several times to confirm receipt, her comments stopped appearing and she was muted for the remainder of the livestream. The broadcast later ended abruptly, with no explanation offered regarding the unacknowledged payment.

The donor said she initially suspected TikTok’s automated moderation system might have filtered her comments, particularly as numerical figures can sometimes trigger spam controls. However, she claimed that even after copying comments already visible from other users, her messages continued not to appear.

From a Single Incident to a Pattern of Allegations

The ₦50,000 incident did not remain isolated. During subsequent livestream debates and recorded discussions, multiple contributors alleged that similar issues had occurred across several fundraising sessions on the Wale Maryam TikTok Live platform.

Among the most serious claims were allegations that:

• Funds raised for named beneficiaries were only partially paid

• Donors who asked questions during live sessions were muted or blocked

• There was no post-livestream financial breakdown showing how much was raised and how much was disbursed

One widely discussed case involved a widow with three children who appeared on the platform seeking assistance to start a small business. Contributors alleged that over ₦620,000 was raised for her during TikTok Live sessions across multiple days.

According to several speakers, only ₦100,000 was eventually transferred to the woman, with no clear public explanation regarding the remaining amount.

Another case referenced during the discussions involved a fundraising effort said to have generated approximately ₦640,000, with contributors claiming that only a fraction of the money reached the intended recipients.

Japaforum.com notes that these figures are based on statements made by donors and participants during livestream discussions and have not been independently verified.

Allegations of Funds Being Redirected

A recurring concern raised by contributors was the allegation that funds raised for specific individuals may have been redirected to other causes without the explicit consent of donors.

During recorded exchanges, the platform’s host stated that the TikTok Live sessions are part of broader welfare and empowerment activities and that funds are sometimes applied to urgent needs across the platform.

However, critics argue that when donations are raised publicly for a named individual, donors reasonably expect those funds to be transferred to that person unless clearly informed otherwise.

Several contributors stated that they would not have donated had they known the money might be reallocated.

Host’s Response and Public Exchanges

During the livestream debates, Wale Maryam denied allegations of theft and wrongdoing. He rejected claims that funds were deliberately withheld and described some accusations as exaggerated or inaccurate.

However, when pressed by contributors to provide exact figures, timelines and transfer confirmations for specific cases, critics said the explanations offered were unclear or inconsistent.

At several points, contributors challenged the platform to release:

• Bank statements showing incoming donations

• Proof of transfers to beneficiaries

• A reconciliation of funds raised versus funds disbursed

As of the time of reporting, no comprehensive public financial breakdown addressing the disputed donations has been released.

Wider Debate on TikTok Live Charity in Nigeria

The controversy has triggered a broader debate about social media fundraising on TikTok Live, particularly in Nigeria, where informal digital charity initiatives have grown rapidly in the absence of formal oversight.

Legal and financial commentators participating in the discussions noted that while TikTok Live fundraising is not inherently illegal, accepting public donations for specific causes creates a duty of care and transparency.

They argued that basic safeguards — such as verifying beneficiaries before fundraising begins, issuing receipts, and publishing post-event summaries — are essential to maintaining public trust.

Calls for Transparency and Oversight

As discussions continue across TikTok and Facebook, donors and viewers have called for:

• Clear fundraising rules during TikTok Live sessions

• Independent verification of beneficiary stories

• Public confirmation once funds are transferred

• Refund mechanisms where funds are not disbursed as advertised

Japaforum.com emphasises that the allegations remain claims made by donors and livestream participants. The individuals and platform mentioned have not issued a formal written statement addressing each of the specific cases cited.