Former players of Akwa United Football Club have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crime Commssion (EFCC) over what they described as fraudulent diversion of money and houses belonging to them.
In a petition signed by Bawa Aliyu on behalf of the ten players, dated 10th August 2017, and made available to THE INK portal, the players said they were players of Akwa United Football Club during the 2014/2015 that won the FA Cup.
According to the petition, “while we were players of Akwa United Football Club during the 2014 /2015 football season, the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel make announcement of a list of 34 players, 6 technical crew members. Where the club eventually won the FA Cup 2014/2015. The final match was played on 22nd November, 2015 at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Lagos.”
The players said in appreciation, Governor Udom Emmanuel hosted them as well as the officials at the Banquet Hall where he promised each player a gift of #2 million and a house.
“In appreciation of our effort, the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State hosted us, the players and officials to the Banquet Hall on 1st December, 2015 where he promised each player a gift of N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira Only) and a house.”
The players said while Akwa Ibom State Government has redeemed the promise, it came to their notice that the list of players has been changed and houses were allocated to only 24 out of the 34 players who has been the players of the club, 10 houses was diverted.
In conclusion, the ex Akwa United players said “we therefore call on your esteemed organization to urgently step in and look into our matter with a view of recovering our share and bringing the perpetrators of this crime to book.”
Affected players are: Solomon Bitrus, Ariwa Emmanuel, Lukman Abdulkarim, Kingsley Nathaniel, Saviour Abanga, Samuel Okon, Edidiong Stephen, Justice Ekpenyong and Nsikak Etim. However , When our reporter spoke with a police officer from the EFCC office, he said they are waiting for their boss in charge of the operation to ackonwlegde, adding that when that is done, they will swing into action and thos found wanting in the case will be arressted no matter how highly placed.
Pointedly, our EFCC source explained that Paul Bassey and Monday Uko risk arrest following the initial complains from the players.
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