Former Super Eagles skipper Austin Jay Jay Okocha has debunked claim that he and his wife Nkechi connived to usurp a Bureau de change business co-owned by Friday Nwankwo-Kujah.
Nwankwo-Kuja, also known as Soccer Ambassador, had sent an appeal to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to step up the process of investigation into the allegations of fraud and breach of agreement he levelled against the ex-footballer.
Austin Okocha, reacting to the accusation, told The Guardian: “I don’t want to join issues with Friday Kujah because I see him as ungrateful fellow.
“I was preparing for my retirement from active football while playing in Qatar. Friday Kujah called me one early morning on phone to suggest that he and one Israelis had a business idea.
He said he wants us to start a Bureau de change business. He brought the Israelis from a Mega Plaza.
“I asked both of them how much they would contribute for the business to commence, but they replied that they don’t have any money. I would only pay them percentage based on money generated. Thereafter, he (Kujah) told me to send $300,000, which I did. He went and registered the company in his name.
“The business was not yielding any positive result, rather, they kept asking me for more money. When I returned from Qatar, Friday Kujah couldn’t render anything in terms of profit from the business. Things were going from bad to worse. They took loan from the bank, yet they couldn’t pay for the house rent, and debts were pilling up. It got to a stage the owner of the building could not take it. He took us to the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and I had to settle the debt.
“One day, the Israelis, who was the Operations Manager, walked up to me to say that I had to give them another $1million for the business to survive. I was sensing great danger ahead. When it became clear that my business with Friday Kujah was not heading any good direction, I left him and registered my company, Jay Jay Okocha Bureau de change. So, in what way have I shortchanged or owe Friday Kujah money? He is going about scandalising my name, and reporting me to EFCC, but I won’t join issues with him. As I said, I won’t succumb to his cheap blackmail.”
