One of the biggest domestic transfer feud is brewing between two Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) sides, Abia Warriors and Kano Pillars, over the ownership of goalkeeper Joshua Enaholo, Completesports.com reports.
Completesports.com understands that Enaholo, a Golden Eaglets and U-20 Flying Eagles’ goalkeeper, had penned a three-year contract last year with Abia Warriors after a move away from rivals, Enyimba.
But after a season, the goalkeeper moved to Kano Pillars ahead the 2019/2020 domestic and continental campaigns.
Abia Warriors started their preparation for the new season on August 5 and claimed Enaholo was yet to rejoin his teammates two weeks after opening their camp.
“We made inquiries only to find put he was in Kano Pillars camp,” Patrick Ngwaogu, Abia Warriors Sporting Director told Completesports.com.
“We contacted the management of Kano Pillars on the matter, to let them realise that Enaholo is still under contract with us and that they have not followed due process in their transactions with the goalkeeper.
“We were rudely shocked to hear them say they have duly cleared Enaholo and that his papers were with them.”
The embittered Abia Warriors chieftain alleges ‘forgery’ if indeed there was any clearance letter from anybody or club as regards Joshua Enaholo’s transfer.
“Its pure forgery. Enaholo still have years of his duly signed contract with us remaining,” Ngwaogu stated.
“We do not stop players from seeking career lifts elsewhere. But that has to be done in accordance with laid down rules and standard procedures.
“Abia Warriors as a club have petitioned the management of Kano Pillars Football Club over the unprofessional attitude being exhibited by Joshua Enaholo, who is hibernating in the club, instead of resuming with his Abia Warriors teammates in Umuahia.
“Much as it is not in our character or policy to stop players from seeking better career opportunities elsewhere, we also make bold to add that it is unlawful and unprofessional for a club, Kano Pillars, in this instance, to keep Joshua Enaholo in their camp which has hindered him from resuming with his colleagues since the club’s official resumption date.”
A statement by Akwa United and signed by the Sporting Director, Ngwaogu, caution Kano Pillars not to use any falsified document which the player might have presented to effect his registration.
“We’ve completed actions to prosecute Joshua Enaholo for forgery of its official documents which is a criminal offense punishable under the relevant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, the Abia Warriors boss said in the strongly worded letter to Kano Pillars.
Abia Warriors had last week declared the former Junior International absent without official leave (AWOL) following his absence from the team’s camp in Umuahia since they officially resumed on August 5.
By Sab Osuji
