Former Sharks of Port Harcourt star and icon of the Nigerian Professional Football League (NPFL), Victor Ezeji has spoken at length about his recent Invitation for questioning by the police as well as Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Sports247 reports.
While a section of the media published a report that the ex-international defrauded some people, which led to his invitation by Rivers State Police Command in Port Harcourt and the EFCC in Lagos, Ezeji stressed that it was only a case of ‘confusion caused by logistics issues.’
Read Also: Eric Chelle Gives Himself ‘Positive’ Scorecard Ahead Of 10-month Margin As Super Eagles’ Coach
He expressed dismay with how a newspaper went to press with the story, which the former attacker, who also played for Eagle Cement FC and Dolphins of Port Harcourt as well as Enyimba of Aba, Sunshine Stars of Akure and Heartland of Owerri, said was misrepresented.
Ezeji, who is the most decorated player ever in the domestic league, added that he has been quiet since the matter came up about two months ago, while trying to sort himself out with security and anti-graft agencies, but decided to speak after receiving several calls from friends, associates and members of the football community.
“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,” said Ezeji, who also previously played for Club Africain of Tunisia.
“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 then went on to give details of the mix-up, which he said occurred due to a bussiness transaction that involved his company that is being run by his wife, while he continues keeping track of football matters.
Ezeji added at length: “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.”
Ezeji continued by pointing out that he was not personally involved in the now contentious deal, as he has other matters to attend to, hence his shock when the report emerged with what he described as false accusations against him.
He added: “In all this, 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.
“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.”
The Nigerian legend concluded by reiterating that he is not a criminal and thanked everyone who expressed concern over the controversial issue but stressed that he has nothing against the people who turned it into a matter of concern for security agencies.
“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 teansaction.
“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,” Ezeji concluded.
, Victor Ezeji has spoken at length about){kind=link}