Shittu Seeks EFCC Probe

…Into Hoddle’s Bribe Allegations

FIFA licensed players’ agent, John Olatunji Shittu has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC) to investigate the allegation that some members of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF interview panel asked former England manager, Glen Hoddle to part with $500,000 before he could be considered for the then vacant position of Super Eagles Technical Adviser.

Shittu said he was making the call after reports on Monday revealed he was involved in the alleged bribery scandal that trailed the rejection of Hoddle as the new Eagles boss.

Shittu had been accused of masterminding the deal that inflated the asking price of Hoddle from $1million to $1.5million, as well as deceiving Kwara State Governor, Bukola Saraki into taking the matter up with Presidential Task Force boss and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

“My hands are clean in this matter. It is only in Nigeria where the complainant will suddenly become the accused. This is why I am calling on the EFCC to wade into the matter, it’s clear the investigating panel set up by the Presidential Task Force on Super Eagles qualification for and participation in the 2010 FIFA World Cup to investigate the matter has not done a thorough job”, says Shittu who revealed a highly placed official in the nation’s sporting arena who was a member of the interview panel was behind the lies reported in the media on Monday.

 “Thank God Governor Bukola Saraki of Kwara state who I was accused of deceiving has come out to state what the heart of the matter is. I am also happy the Governor is determined to see that those involved in the dirty deal and who want to use the press to cover up will be brought to book”, he further said and reiterates that the EFCC should come in as a matter of urgency to investigate the matter.

 ‘I think it is high time criminals parading themselves as sports officials in Nigeria were brought to book so that the much talked about development in our sports can move from dream to reality’, he said.

Only yesterday, Governor Saraki refuted reports in the media that he colluded with Shittu into deceiving Rivers state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi to investigate a matter in which he was an interested and conniving party.

The governor said thus in his denial: “I woke up this morning to see this article that I and some agents sold tissues of lies to Governor Rotimi Amaechi regarding the recruitment of Glen Hoddle as the Super Eagles Coach, but this is all lies.

The report was in bad taste as my working with Hoddle was borne out of patriotism and my conviction that the right thing must be done.

“I was in Abuja on 25th February when I got a call from Shittu that he and Hoddle wanted to see me. When we met, Hoddle complained that he was asked to part with $500,000 out of his $1.5m and that was the only way to do business in Nigeria. I was very upset.”

Saraki added: “He (Hoodle) said some people asked him to quote $ I.5m instead of the $9,000,000 he asked for. I asked him if his agent could confirm it. What I did was to set up a meeting between Amaechi, who I know to be very straightforward, and Shittu. Anybody can call Glen Hoddle and his agent.

‘I believe those who planted this story were just trying to pre-empt the outcome of the panel. This integrity matter must be cleared.