The Ebonyi State Commissioner for Youth Development and Sports, Richard Idike, has dismissed allegations of financial misconduct against Starplus Aniesta Chibuikem, describing them as a calculated attempt to distract the management of Abakaliki FC from its ongoing responsibilities.
Speaking to journalists in Abakaliki, Idike reacted to reports that an official of the State Anti-Graft Commission attempted to arrest the coach at Pa Ngele Oruta Township Stadium over alleged unauthorized deductions from players’ allowances.
The controversy began after an investigative officer, Chukwuorji Igodo, accused the coach of initially imposing a 10% deduction on players’ earnings, later converting it to a fixed monthly charge of ₦50,000 per player. The officer also alleged that eight indigenous players were dropped and replaced with recruits from another state.
The controversy began after an investigative officer, Chukwuorji Igodo, accused the coach of initially imposing a 10% deduction on players’ earnings, later converting it to a fixed monthly charge of ₦50,000 per player. The officer also alleged that eight indigenous players were dropped and replaced with recruits from another state.
However, the commissioner rejected the claims, labeling them false, politically motivated, and lacking evidence. He emphasized that both the ministry and the club have upheld transparency and accountability in all financial matters, including player recruitment and welfare.
Idike further explained that upon receiving notice of the investigation, he reached out to the officer involved but received no response. After honoring an invitation to the anti-corruption agency, he was reportedly informed by its chairman that no such summons had been officially approved.
He also criticized the timing of the attempted arrest, noting that the officer allegedly appeared at the stadium during training ahead of a key fixture against Godswill Akpabio United, calling the move disruptive and unnecessary.
Addressing concerns about player welfare, the commissioner stated that internal investigations, including private interviews with team members, found no proof of illegal deductions. He added that the club maintains a balanced squad, with both local and non-indigenous players selected to strengthen performance.
According to him, players who did not feature in the first half of the season were reassigned to the feeder team to compete in other tournaments while still receiving full salaries.
Idike concluded by urging stakeholders to support reforms in Ebonyi’s sports sector rather than engage in actions that could hinder the progress of the state’s football team.
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