EX-England footballer and Gladiators host John Fashanu has been arrested in Nigeria amid a complex land dispute that has escalated into legal action against police authorities.
The Mirror reports that the 62-year-old former Wimbledon and Aston Villa striker is currently on police bail after being arrested on multiple serious charges including criminal conspiracy, threat to life, intimidation, trespass, and obtaining by false pretence.
The incident stems from a contested 22-acre property in Nigeria, where Fashanu now resides. According to The Mirror, foreign investors had allegedly agreed to pay Fashanu over £500,000 for the land before complications arose when workmen arrived to construct a perimeter fence on the property.
Fashanu vehemently denies all charges and has launched a £100,000 compensation claim against Nigerian police, The Mirror reports. The legal action alleges that authorities wrongfully arrested him, his wife Vivian, and his lawyer Chinyere Chigbu on December 16, subjecting them to “arrest, detention and inhuman treatment” for “about three hours” and “subsequent intermittent constraints of his personal liberty” until December 19.
The Mirror notes that the legal proceedings were filed under the name “Ambassador Fashanu,” reflecting the official title bestowed upon him by the Nigerian government when he was appointed as their sports and tourism ambassador.
Mr Chigbu confirmed to The Mirror that all three individuals have since been released after meeting the requirements for administrative bail.
Fashanu became a household name after helping Wimbledon secure their historic FA Cup victory in 1988 and earning two England caps during his playing career. The Mirror highlights that following his retirement from football, Fashanu transitioned to television, most notably co-hosting the UK version of Gladiators alongside Ulrika Jonsson throughout the 1990s. He currently presents the Nigerian edition of Deal or No Deal.
