Super Eagles’ Afcon-winning goalkeeper allegedly defrauds businessman

Former Nigeria worldwide Peter Rufai is taken into account a legend amongst soccer followers after serving to the Tremendous Eagles win the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations event

A Nigerian businessman primarily based in Ibadan, Oyo State, Debo Thomas, has accused former Tremendous Eagles goalkeeper Peter Rufai of defrauding him to the tune of 1 million naira.

In an FIJ report, Debo Thomas revealed that an acquaintance launched him to Peter Rufai in 2021 when he started strikes to construct a sports activities advanced inside the nation.

Rufai reportedly fell in love with the venture and promised to share the template of an analogous activity he accomplished in Belgium.

Thomas claims that Rufai initially refused to simply accept a payment for the design template.

Nevertheless, Rufai agreed to be paid no matter quantity Thomas deemed match for his enter and shared his UBA account the place the cost needs to be made.

However bother began after one million naira was paid into Peter Rufai’s account with the previous Deportivo La Coruna star taking offence on the pittance paid as he anticipated extra.

Rufai’s inconsistency and failure to share the template doc annoyed Thomas and he advised the previous shot-stopper to refund his cash as he was not all for going additional with the venture.

Thomas then took the matter to courtroom when it grew to become clear that Rufai had no intention of refunding the million naira.

The courtroom dominated in favour of Thomas and Rufai was ordered to refund the businessman. However Peter Rufai responded by having Debo Thomas arrested.

Efforts by FIJ to get Peter Rufai to answer the allegations haven’t yielded a lot outcomes with the previous worldwide claiming that the matter was nonetheless in courtroom.

Rufai’s earlier romance with fraud

This isn’t the primary time that Peter Rufai can be entangled in a case of economic misadventure.

In 2013, the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations winner was accused of creating away with a sure 200,000 euro grant from the Belgian authorities for a soccer venture within the Nigerian group in Belgium.

It was mentioned that the previous Lokeren goalie made away with the cash and refused to return to the nation. Rufai allegedly risked jail time ought to he step foot on the shores of Belgium once more.

However Rufai denied the allegations, claiming he by no means acquired any cash from the Belgian authorities.

Peter Rufai’s legacy 

Usually considered one in every of Nigeria’s greatest-ever goalkeepers, Peter Rufai performed for a number of golf equipment within the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Belgium.

Probably the most memorable moments of Rufai’s profession have been, nonetheless, with the Tremendous Eagles.

Rufai represented Nigeria at a number of Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and was Nigeria’s first-choice goalkeeper on the FIFA World Cup in 1994 and 1998.

He helped Nigeria carry the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in 1994 – the nation’s second continental title.