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John Obi Mikel’s agent John Shittu sues Siasia for ₦250m over bribery allegations
By Dayo Awoniyi
FIFA-licensed football agent John Shittu has filed a defamation lawsuit against former Super Eagles coach Samson Siasia, demanding ₦250 million in damages over allegations that he attempted to bribe the coach ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Siasia had alleged that Shittu offered him a €50,000 bribe to secure midfielder John Obi Mikel’s inclusion in Nigeria’s U-23 squad for the Olympic tournament.
The claim, which resurfaced in recent media reports, has been strongly denied by Shittu.
In a letter issued by his legal representatives, Shittu described the allegation as “entirely false” and “malicious,” stating that the remarks have caused significant harm to his personal and professional reputation.
“The claims are baseless and defamatory,” the letter stated, demanding a full retraction and public apology from Siasia.
Shittu, known for representing high-profile footballers including Mikel Obi, argues that his standing in the football community has been unfairly damaged by what he considers an unfounded accusation.
The 2008 Olympics marked a major milestone in Nigerian football, with the U-23 team—coached by Siasia—reaching the final and winning the silver medal. Mikel, then a rising star at Chelsea FC, was a pivotal figure in that squad.
As of press time, Siasia has not issued a formal response to the legal notice.
The dispute adds to the long-standing concerns over transparency and integrity in Nigerian football, where allegations of corruption and backroom dealings have frequently made headlines.
