Retired Nigerian footballer, Nwankwo Kanu, has just raised an alarm concerning the theft that occurred in one of his Buildings. The commercial property, named Hardley Apartments is situated along Waziri Ibrahim Crescent, Victoria Island, Lagos. Kanu claims that the thieves stole properties including trophies, Plaques, medals, among others.
Although, there is an ongoing case of debt against the building which used to run as a hotel. It has also been allegedly sealed off since 2015. However, there has been no injunction nor any court order to retrieve things from it.
Kanu, who was in London for the festive break was left in shock when his business partner alerted him that some renovation works have begun in the building. This forced the ex-super eagles player back to Nigeria last weekend. Now, on inspecting the site, he discovered that valued possessions have been stolen by those he cannot seem to identify.
Almost moved to tears, Kanu stated, “It was a rude shock to me. I almost couldn’t recognize the hotel as belonging to me anymore. This is the saddest day of my life as I cannot understand why this happen to me when the matter has yet to be settled in court.
“All the medals I have earned, in addition to the Olympic torch that I cherished are all gone and I don’t even know who to ask for all these prized assets. This is unacceptable in all ramifications. I have not been served any notice that I have lost this property and until I am served the notice, it remains my legal property.”
He continued, “Even cars and buses belonging to the hotel can no longer be found and I wonder where they could have been moved to without my knowledge.
Explaining how his foundation has feared since the property was sealed, the former Arsenal player said, “We have used proceeds from the hotel business to effect treatment for the patients over the years and now we are being forced to seek funds elsewhere, a situation that has stalled the treatment considerably especially since 2016. During my service to this country in football up to year 2000, I made many Nigerians happy. I don’t think I deserve this sadness in retirement.”
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