By Dayo Awoniyi
Former Super Eagles forward, Victor Ezeji, has been arrested by operatives of the Rivers State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) over alleged fraud involving dud cheques worth ₦39.8 million and threats to life.
Ezeji and his wife, Celestina Onyemaeche Ezeji, were accused of purchasing 60,000 litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, from businessman Dagogo Emmanuel in July 2025.
The couple reportedly issued cheques for payment, which later bounced, prompting a police investigation.
Police sources confirmed that the retired footballer was arrested on Monday, September 22, 2025, in Port Harcourt after weeks of surveillance. He is currently being held at the SCID headquarters.
During interrogation, Ezeji admitted knowledge of the transaction and acknowledged signing the cheques but denied awareness of his wife’s current whereabouts.
Investigators said Mrs. Ezeji remains at large, with efforts ongoing to trace her.
Reacting to the development, Ezeji’s brother, Chuks, confirmed the arrest but insisted the ex-international was not directly involved.
He alleged that the deal was conducted by Mrs. Ezeji using her husband’s name.
Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.
