MATCH FIXING NIGERIAN GAMES: Undercover Reporter Caught Agent on Secret Camera

From a tip-off, Mathew Mahmood, an undercover reporter for a London tabloid – The Sun, tracked down an alleged Nigerian match fixing agent, Henry Chukwuma Okoroji in Milan Italy.

Acting as a betting syndicate from Asia, Mahmood arranged a meeting in the Agent’s hotel room in Milan. And with a secret camera on, the alleged businessman and his associate, Joe, told the reporter he could fix games and arrange different outcomes. He gave list of prices he would have to pay for the different outcomes.

“Okoroji said, a yellow card would set them back €50, 000 and penalty €100, 000… that he has contacts to deal with Nigerian national team players and their coaching crew.” the Sun’s undercover Reported.

“Okoroji said he had already recruited two Nigerian players for this summers’ FIFA World cup and was planning to fly to Brazil to oversee his scams during the tournament.”

Perhaps, in an attempt to enhance his credibility, the pair then invited Lazio and Nigerian national team defensive midfielder,Ogeniyi Onazi to the meeting. After making his offer, Okoroji rang another prominent Nigerian player and claimed he had also agreed to take part in the fix.

Onazi has however tweeted to distance himself from Okoroji’s scam. He admitted meeting with the alleged match fixing agent as was reported by the Sun.

“First, let me state unequivocally that I have no link whatsoever to any individual or group with ties to the corrupt issues of match fixing. My attention has been drawn to a publication relating to issues of match fixing.” Onazi tweeted.

“A certain Mr. Okoroji was mentioned in the publication. My previous contact with Mr. Okoroji was based on the fact that we are both Nigerians in Italy. As a matter of fact, I am surprised to learn that Okoroji is a FIFA Licensed Agent.” Onazi retracted.

“Before the day of the meeting, he had told me that his associates had an endorsement proposition for my consideration. But when I got to the meeting on that day, I found out it was all about fixing matches. So I told them a resounding NO and left.”

Interestingly, this was coming when many spectators who saw the international friendly game between Nigeria Vs Scotland, labeled goalkeeper Austin Ejide as a match fixer, after what looked like he deliberately parry the ball into his own goal net for the Scottish second goal. Some people are now insinuating that Ejide may be the second player Okoroji contacted for the plot.

Only recently, Daily Telegraph reported that National Crime Agency (NCA) alerted FIFA over the attempt to fix the friendly game at Fulham’s Craven Cottage between Nigeria and Scotland. The game ended 2 -2 draw and left spectators wondering if the match wasn’t fixed after all.

The issue of match fixing resurfaced ahead of the World Cup, with pre-tournament warm up matches said to be prime targets for match fixers acting on behalf of illegal syndicates in Asia.