BEN MEMULETIWON
Coach James Peters has cried to the Nigerian security agents that his life has been under severe threat. This is coming after it was revealed that he authored the petition that opened the romp of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Already the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has commenced investigations into how the football house spent over N15 billion in the past four years.
The Amaju Pinnick-led board was alleged to have paid the said money from national teams sponsors into private accounts instead of the Treasury Single Account.
Peters who raised the alarm said he has no regrets over his actions insisting that
“I will do it again if the opportunity arises”.
Giving a detailed account of the threat, Peters said. ” Over the weekend, I was trailed twice by some cars with unregistered and dark colour glasses. I could not fathom the occupants from outside. It was my wife that observed the first car when we came out of church. Then, we offered to stay in the crowded area for almost an hour.
“Later in the evening, I was coming back from my physiotherapy treatment when I saw from the mirror another car, this time, a black Peugeot, driving so close to me. Out of fear, I did a one way against traffic towards where I was coming while they drove straight.
“Right now, myself and my family are living in fear. I do not regret doing what I did. It is for football. If I have another opportunity I will do what I have done again. Issue is, let them go and defend themselves rather than trail me all over the place.”
It would be recalled that coach James Peters had in April 2018 detailed the monumental fraud perpetrated in the NFF in a petition to the EFCC. In the process of the investigation the EFCC has sent invitation to five senior board members and two companies to defend the allegations leveled against them.
Peters, arguably the only qualified coach in the NFF management under Amin Maigari was relieved of his duties and has not been paid his retirement benefits. Investigations revealed that the former coach of BCC Lions was sacked by the NFF due to his alleged closeness and unequalled loyalty to the National Sports Commission (NSC).
The NFF is reported to have refused to pay the salaries and allowances of coaches in the employment of the federation. The late Shuabu Amodu and Stephen Keshi were owed millions while those still alive are treated with disdain. This development must have angered Peters that a federation that can squander N15 billion has no reason to owe coaches.