The former footballer and TV host, 62, is suspected of criminal conspiracy, threat to life, intimidation, trespass, and obtaining by false pretence in Nigeria where he now lives
John Fashanu, former Gladiator, is officially on police bail following an arrest connected to a land dispute.
The ex-footballer and television presenter, aged 62, is embroiled in allegations of criminal conspiracy, threat to life, intimidation, trespass, and obtaining by false pretence in Nigeria, his current place of residence. Fashanu has vehemently denied the accusations and is hitting back with a lawsuit against the police for a whopping £100,000 in compensation.
He claims that his rights were trampled upon when he was wrongfully arrested alongside his wife Vivian and his solicitor Chinyere Chigbu, insisting the issue at hand is merely a civil matter concerning land. The controversy began after a group of investors reportedly agreed to fork out over £500,000 for a 22-acre plot.
Upon learning that these investors had dispatched workers to erect a fence around the property, Fashanu and his legal advisor decided to investigate.
Fashanu alleges that upon their arrival, they discovered the labourers under police protection, leading to both him and his lawyer being taken into custody after they consented to visit a police station to clear the air. He has accused the officers of subjecting him to “arrest, detention and inhuman treatment” for roughly “about three hours” on December 16, along with “subsequent intermittent constraints of his personal liberty” until December 19, reports the Mirror.
Furthermore, he claims his wife Vivian was mistakenly arrested when she accompanied him to the station, and he experienced a “gross unconstitutional violation” of his rights as the police confiscated his mobile phone. Since hanging up his football boots, Fashanu gained fame co-hosting Gladiators in the ’90s with Ulrika Jonsson and has appeared on reality TV shows such as I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!
The former striker, who famously helped Wimbledon lift the FA Cup in 1988 during an eight-year stint, also turned out for Aston Villa and earned two caps for England. Known as Fash the Bash due to his tough-guy image, he was the sibling of Justin, the UK’s first openly gay footballer and the first Black player to command a £1million transfer fee.
Tragically, Justin took his own life in 1998 at the age of 37.
John, born in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, has held onto his dual British and Nigerian citizenship, thanks to his father’s Nigerian roots, and has been residing in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, for many years. He’s a household name there, not just because of his footballing past but also due to his involvement with the Nigerian FA and government work.
In 2000, John played a pivotal role in putting together the Fashanu Report, which delved into corruption within the 1980s and 90s, and he even went on to present the TV show Deal or No Deal Nigeria. Fashanu now claims that the trauma from his arrest ordeal has hindered his chances of landing the job as Nigeria’s national football coach, a position he alleges he was up for before his arrest.
Just this month, he attended a session at Abuja’s Federal High Court where the judge postponed proceedings until April 10. Commenting on the legal battle, Fashanu’s solicitor Chinyere Chigbu stated: “The court granted the adjournment to give all the respondents enough time to file their counter affidavit. It will allow them enough time to properly file their response.”
Mr Chigbu has confirmed that both he and the Fashanus are out on bail after their arrests. He stated: “All three have perfected their bail conditions. They have all met the requirements to be admitted on administrative bail by police.”
Using the name Ambassador Fashanu, a title bestowed upon him by the Nigerian government for his work as a sports and tourism ambassador, Fashanu filed legal papers against 12 defendants. This list includes heavyweights like the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, and the police service commission, with specific mentions of Abuja’s police commissioner, deputy commissioner, chief superintendent and deputy superintendent in the filings.
Additionally, Fashanu has named several high-ranking officials in his lawsuit, including Abuja’s commissioner of police, Mr Jude Azuka, deputy commissioner of police DCP. Ogedegbe, chief superintendent of police Habib Alkali and deputy superintendent of police Mr Elvis Ibe.
He lodged the case under the prestigious title of Ambassador Fashanu, reflecting his official recognition by the Nigerian government.
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to respond to requests for comment.
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