As I write this report, Emenike is currently on the field of play in Calabar and the Super Eagles are trailing 3-1 behind the Congolese national team; anyways, that’s not our business.
The Nigerian soccer star — Emmanuel Emenike is currently locked in a battle of wits with Enugu State Government over 13 plots of land worth over N30 million naira.
The player, whose goals propelled Nigeria to the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup tournament in Brazil, says the land which he bought through a special assistant to the Enugu State Governor, Frank Ugwunweze to build a sport academy in Enugu was reportedly invaded by soldier men who prevented workers from carrying out developments on it recently.
The former Spartak Moscow player recently revealed the land dispute details to African Football, insisting the Enugu State Government must refund his money.
‘I worked hard to make my money, I know what I pass through on the pitch before I earn my living and it will be unfair if what I am hearing about my land in Enugu State was true.’
‘I visit Enugu whenever I come to Nigeria, my friends stay there as well as some of my family members. And I am the kind of person who allows for advice. Even before now, I had a dream to own an academy not only in Nigeria but I believe in the saying that charity begins at home.’
‘About three, four months ago, I acquired 13 plots of land in Enugu State through the special assistant to Governor Sullivan Chime. And during the time of conversation of the land papers he never told me there was any problem on the land. He gave me all the necessary documents in my name after payment. I then directed for work to commence immediately, but the state government has directed soldiers to stop anybody from working there. I don’t want to believe that this is fraud. I am ready to fight it all. I am not a politician and I see no reason why my money will be held by the government house. I have called some top government officials in Enugu, but all of them are not trying to be sincere. They could not help because the order came from the Governor. Nobody is trying to be sincere and as a matter of fact, I want my money back. I am very depressed that there is no confidence in investing in my country. I just don’t understand the pranks.’
He also said he regretted involving the government with whatever project he intends doing.
‘Right from time, I don’t like going through government for anything. I prefer to do it with my money and I see no reason why my property will be held back by government. People go to government to get free land, but I will not do that because there is no sincerity in most of the things we do. And I will not be here and somebody takes my money, it will never happen. I just want to believe that His Excellency Governor Chime was not aware of the purchase of the land, in that case, I will like to have my money back.’
Emmanuel Emenike currently plays for Turkish giant, Fenerbache.
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