Mr. Effiong Jeremiah Essien, born into the family of Mr and Mrs Essien, from Akwa-Ibom, Nigeria has raised alarm concerning his safety. The 27 years old Nigerian former footballer and entrepreneur had raised alarm concerning his safety as a prominent political figure, Mr Isumaila Sanusi wanted to lure him into a dubious transaction by handling $300,000 cash which had been siphoned from public funds asking him to invest in cryptocurrency due to his expertise on digital assets trading which Essien vehemently refused to be a partaker of this deal stating that he understood the implications of this act and could in turn put him into trouble with Economic Financial Crime Commission. He added that, Mr Isumaila Sanusi further persuaded him that he will be protected from any legal actions if peradventure it boomerangs as he will use his power, influence and strong ties he has with the Ogun State House of Assembly.
According to Essien, “I haven’t known peace since I refused to take part in dirty deal” Essien reported to Nigerian NewsDirect. ” My life is being sought after for choosing not to partake in something illegal and forbidden by law”.
Essien said that the awful incident began after Essien’s mother introduced him to Mr. Sanusi at a party graced by dignitaries and famous politicians. Essien mother was a retired nurse who later joined politics after retirement. He expressed how his supposedly enjoyment at the party became the beginning of unrest and turmoil for him.
Essien added that, he was in his office at Sagamu on a sunny day, when Mr.Isumaila Sanusi sent an intermediary with a whooping sum of $300,000 cash asking him to invest as he had earlier discussed with him at the party where they first met. Essien was gripped with fear as he had never seen such amount of money before and left him stuttering. He managed to force out some words of advice to Mr. Sanusi not to invest as much as this amount of money and as well as use electronic transfer instead of bringing cash in it’s raw form. Mr Sanusi tried convincing but he refused bluntly stating fears of being apprehended for money laundering or other related financial crimes. Essien told him he chose integrity and will not do such that could put him on legal hunt. His refusal to succumb to such dirty act poses a threat to his life. Mr. Isumaila Sanusi has called severally asking him to complete the deal or he face the consequences of his disobedience with his life. The threats from Mr. Sanusi made Essien reported to the police who could do little or nothing due to his political influence of the suspect. Essien describes a repeated pattern of violence which had made him flee across three states, running for succor.
On April 7,2023, some armed men reportedly gained forceful entrance into his business premises in Sagamu, Ogun state which he managed to escape through his office’s back exit, Mr Sanusi called confirming his escape as luck on his part. This made him moved to one of his friends house Adedeji Ogunyemi. April 18, the attackers traced him and discovered his new hideout. He was attacked but luck smiled on him again as he could manage to flee using the window before leaving the state finally for Taraba state.
Even in Taraba state, he said he couldn’t explain how all his hideouts were discovered by the suspect as he was spotted at a local market, December 10, 2023. He was saved by an elderly vendor who covered him with some crates behind the stall.
The pursuit continued into 2024 after Essien relocated to Enugu at Samuel Onuche, one of his old friends. On April 7, 2024, he received another call from Mr. Sanusi who mockingly said to him “you cannot run faster than a bullet”.
June 4, armed men attacked Samuel in his home, he was badly beaten since Essien had managed to hide in the ceiling. He came out after the attackers had gone and rushed his friend to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Amidst this chaos, Essien’s wife, Joy also received a life-threatening call about her husband’s action. All these had a toll on her marriage and health as she was heavily pregnant. She requested for a divorce as she claimed she lost her peace and living in fear. On June 5, after the Enugu ordeal, Joy Essien gave birth, but he could only visit his newborn briefly before going back to hide.
At present, even in hiding, Effiong Essien is calling on the Inspector General of Police , Human rights organisations and other concerned bodies to intervene. He claims his life is not safe as the police has refused to act accordingly due to tormentor status and power.
As of the time of this press, all efforts to reach out to Mr Isumaila Sanusi have been thwarted, The Ogun State House of Assembly are yet to say anything regarding the allegations, neither as the Nigeria Police Force confirmed if an official investigation into Essien’s case commenced.
