Athletes and coaches have been shocked by the news of two top Nigerian athletes heading for jail after being found guilty of internet scam and money laundering.
More shocking is the fact that four others who were co-conspirators in the crime may also be facing prosecution and possible jail time. Emmanuel Ineh and Toluwani Adekanbi have already been tried and convicted, they would be slammed with a possible 10 years imprisonment in February 2023 when their sentence would be passed.
Others who are still under investigation and wishing that they don’t have to go to trial include Raymond Ekevwo, Aniekemi Etim, Mercy Abire and Zimbabwean Ngoni Chadwiya. So far all their property traced to the proceeds of the crime has been confiscated and their movements restricted. All the athletes involved came to the USA on student visas.
According to Court documents the athletes knowingly “conspired to enrich themselves unlawfully and to transport, transmit, transfer a monetary instrument or funds involving the proceeds of specified unlawful activity that is, mail fraud and wire fraud in violation of Title 18 United States code, section 1341 and 1343.”
“The defendants and other co-conspirators unknown and known unlawfully enrich themselves by conducting and participating in multiple complex financial fraud schemes. They include on-line romance scams, online charity scams and other types of fraud. The proceeds of these crimes were transferred between known and unknown conspirators both within the USA and other locations not limited to Nigeria.”
Speaking on the development, US-based coach Gabriel Opuana said:”What has happened is a big shame and it is shocking it is a big stain on Nigerian athletics.
‘It happened at a time when doors were opened for Nigerian athletes to come to the USA to study and now things would be very tight.”
Whatever they were doing, they should have realised that in this country the authorities don’t take the issue of people committing crime lightly.”
UK-based Peter Moreno added: I’m very much disturbed; all I ever want is for our athletes to be in a better place to reach greater heights.
“This has just spoiled it for a lot of other athletes. If they get a visa they should count their blessings. The USA does not play with such acts.
“I don’t know why they had to do what they did.”
Etim Aniekeme Alphonsus