Follow Us on Google
Ex-international, Victor Ezeji has broken his silence on the accusation that he defrauded a couple of persons in Port Harcourt, which led to his invitation by the Rivers State Police Command in Port Harcourt and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Lagos.
A newspaper had gone to press with the story that the ex-Sharks, Eagle Cement, Dolphins, Enyimba Int’l, Sunshine Stars, and Heartland FC striker was arrested for fraud related matter.
The most decorated Nigerian footballer ever in the domestic scene has been quiet since the matter came up about two months ago trying to sort himself with security and anti-graft agencies over the matter.
He decided to speak for the first time given calls and enquiries on the matter from friends, associates, and particularly members of the football community where he devoted his youthful years.
“First and foremost, I am not a criminal and have never been involved in crime of any kind all my life and will never be involved,” begins the former Club Africain of Tunisia forward who spoke in a very hurtful tone.
“I used my God-given talent to make a name and living for myself and family. For 20 years, I followed my passion and career in football and even served my fatherland Nigeria in the process. I toiled night and day to carve a niche for myself and be a good citizen of my country,” he continued.
“Football has been my life and made me who I am. I ventured into business after my retirement. My company is involved in oil and gas. My wife is a director of the company. She does business even in my absence, and it has been so for years without issues.
“On this occasion, sometime in June while I was away, she transacted business with a couple of persons. She lifted diesel of about 60,000 litres from the depot and supplied to two service stations and a hotel.
“I want to believe that the unpredictable nature of our business environment these days coupled with the untidy logistic arrangements involved in payment, especially when there’s a time frame attached to the distribution and sale of the products could have stirred up this whole drama even as I wasn’t directly involved in the transaction.
In all these, I was busy with other business concerns related to football since I do consult for some clubs and individuals. By the time the payments should be cleared, there were issues, I guess.
“At this point, perhaps my wife, who handled the transaction, was under severe pressure to settle the payment. I also guess she couldn’t confront or withstand those involved. As I speak, I haven’t laid my eyes on her since the matter was reported to the police.
“I was invited by the police after a complaint was lodged against me as the owner of the company. I reported to the police who called the complainant and asked that we resolve our differences.
“This was ongoing when the sad story broke. A few days later, the EFCC invited me to its Lagos office, where the other complainant had written a petition against me. I travelled to Lagos, and by the grace of God, we are on the verge of settling the matter.
“I just want to state categorically that business happened, which led to this sad development. That is the truth. I am not blaming the persons involved for taking the matter to police and EFCC. They’re into business to make a profit and to survive not to lose. I hold nothing against them in their efforts to secure their payments or recover their investments or money in the transactions.
“I am not a criminal and will never be. I didn’t defraud anyone. Like I said earlier, I wasn’t directly involved in the transaction. Thankfully, the issues are being resolved. Members of the public, my friends, colleagues, associates, and partners shouldn’t see me in the light portrayed by the earlier report on this matter. It is very unfortunate that I was not contacted for my side of the story before the publication went to press with such a damaging report. That is an issue for another day. I am a law-abiding Nigerian and will remain so.
