Former England footballer and television personality John Fashanu has taken legal action against the Nigerian police, seeking £100,000 in compensation over what he describes as wrongful arrest and inhumane treatment.
The 62-year-old ex-Wimbledon striker, who now resides in Nigeria, was arrested alongside his wife, Vivian, and lawyer, Chinyere Chigbu, in connection with a land dispute. He faces charges of criminal conspiracy, threat to life, intimidation, trespassing, and obtaining by false pretence—allegations he strongly denies.
According to reports, the dispute arose after foreign investors agreed to pay Fashanu over £500,000 for a 22-acre property. However, when he learned that workmen had begun constructing a perimeter fence on the land, he and his lawyer visited the site, only to be arrested after voluntarily going to a police station for clarification.
Fashanu claims he was detained for about three hours on December 16 and subjected to further restrictions on his personal liberty until December 19. His legal team argues that the police acted beyond their jurisdiction in what was essentially a civil matter.
The former FA Cup winner, now a television presenter in Nigeria, has filed legal proceedings against 12 individuals under the name “Ambassador Fashanu”—a title granted to him by the Nigerian government in recognition of his contributions to sports and tourism.
Fashanu, his wife, and their lawyer have since been granted bail, with legal proceedings expected to continue.
