BEVERLY HILLS, January 14, (THEWILL) – Former Super Eagles captain, Nwankwo Kanu, aka, Papilo, has revealed how suspected vandals invaded his The Hardley Apartments situated along Waziri Ibrahim Crescent on Victoria Island, making away with his football medals, trophies, plaques and other valuable items.
The hotel has been sealed up since 2015 sequel to an alleged default in a transaction between it and Skye Bank (now Polaris Bank), leading to series of litigation that is still pending at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Kanu, who was in London for the Yuletide, was shocked to learn from relatives and business associates that the Apartments, with registration number 509102, had been occupied by some persons who had also commenced renovation of the facility in disregard of the seal order and litigation – adjourned till 31 January 2019 – forcing him to arrive in Nigeria to verify the claims.
“It was a rude shock to me,” Kanu, who fought back tears at what the hitherto sprawling facility had become since the renovation started, told TheCable.
“I almost couldn’t recognise the hotel as belonging to me anymore. This is the saddest day of my life as I cannot understand why this happen to me when the matter has yet to be settled in court.
“All the medals I have earned, in addition to the Olympic torch that I cherished are all gone and I don’t even know who to ask for all these prized assets.
“This is unacceptable in all ramifications. I have not been served any notice that I have lost this property and until I am served the notice, it remains my legal property.
“Even cars and buses belonging to the hotel can no longer be found and I wonder where they could have been moved to without my knowledge.
“We have used proceeds from the hotel business to effect treatment for the patients at the Kanu Heart Foundation over the years and now we are being forced to seek funds elsewhere, a situation that has stalled the treatment considerably especially since 2016.
“During my service to this country in football up to year 2000, I made many Nigerians happy. I don’t think I deserve this sadness in retirement.”
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