ABUJA, Nigeria — Former footballer and television presenter John Fashanu has launched a legal battle against the Nigerian police, seeking £100,000 (approximately N200 million) in compensation following his arrest over a land dispute.
The 62-year-old, who co-hosted the popular 1990s show Gladiators and enjoyed a successful football career, is currently on police bail in Nigeria, where he now resides.
Fashanu was arrested in December on suspicion of multiple offences, including criminal conspiracy, threat to life, intimidation, trespassing, and obtaining by false pretences, according to Mirror Online.
However, he has vehemently denied the allegations, describing the matter as a civil dispute and accusing authorities of unlawfully detaining him, his wife Vivian, and his lawyer Chinyere Chigbu.
The dispute centres on a 22-acre plot of land, for which Fashanu claims investors had agreed to pay him more than £500,000.
When he learned that the investors had sent workers to construct a perimeter fence, Fashanu and his lawyer went to investigate.
They allegedly discovered that the workers were being protected by police.
Both men were subsequently arrested after voluntarily visiting a police station to resolve the issue.
In his lawsuit, Fashanu has accused police officers of “arrest, detention, and inhuman treatment” during a three-hour ordeal on 16 December, followed by “subsequent intermittent constraints of his personal liberty” until 19 December.
He also alleged that his wife was wrongfully arrested when she accompanied him to the police station and that his rights were violated when officers seized his mobile phone.
The former Wimbledon striker, who helped his club win the FA Cup in 1988 and also played for Aston Villa, claimed that the incident has left him traumatised.
He said the arrest has hindered his chances of securing a role as Nigeria’s national football coach, a position he was reportedly in contention for before the incident.
Fashanu, who holds dual British and Nigerian citizenship, has lived in Abuja for several years and remains a prominent figure in Nigerian football.
His career in Nigeria includes working with the Nigerian Football Association (NFA) and the government, as well as presenting the local version of Deal or No Deal.
Earlier this month, Fashanu appeared at Abuja’s Federal High Court, where the case was adjourned until 10 April.
His lawyer, Chinyere Chigbu, confirmed that the adjournment was granted to allow all respondents sufficient time to file their counter-affidavits.
“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,” Chigbu said.
Chigbu also stated that Fashanu, his wife, and his lawyer have all met their bail conditions.
“All three have perfected their bail conditions. They have all met the requirements to be admitted on administrative bail by police,” he added.
Fashanu has named 12 defendants in his lawsuit, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, the Police Service Commission, and several senior officers in Abuja. Among those listed are 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.
