England star John Fashanu arrested over 'five crimes' as he sues police for £100,000 compensation

15 March 2025, 15:36 | Updated: 15 March 2025, 15:39

Soccer - International Friendly - Venezuela v Nigeria
Soccer - International Friendly - Venezuela v Nigeria. Picture: Alamy

By Danielle de Wolfe

Former England international John Fashanu has been arrested after allegedly committing 'five crimes' in a dispute with neighbours - as he sues police for £100,000.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The 62-year-old pundit and TV host has been accused of several charges by police, including criminal conspiracy, threat to life, intimidation, trespass, and obtaining by false pretence in Nigeria, where he now lives.

Fashnu, who ardently denies the allegations against him, is now suing police for £100,000 in compensation.

He claims his rights were violated after both he and his wife Vivian, as well as his lawyer were arrested by Nigerian police.

The star has now lodged legal proceedings against 12 individuals in Nigeria, with the case filed in court under the name Ambassador Fashanu - the official title awarded to him by the Nigerian government after being appointed sports and tourism ambassador.

The allegations against him are said to stem from an ongoing land dispute - usually a civil matter - involving a group of investors in the country.

Read more: Rizzle Kicks star says children 'rely' on online communities for connection as he says 'boredom' to blame for rising crime

Soccer - International Friendly - Republic of Ireland v Nigeria - Craven Cottage
Soccer - International Friendly - Republic of Ireland v Nigeria - Craven Cottage. Picture: Alamy

The ex-centre forward helped Wimbledon to victory in the 1988 FA Cup final, having also played Prince William's favoured team, Aston Villa, winning two England caps during his career.

According to The Mirror, the star claims the charges arose after the investors agreed to pay him more than £500,000 for the 22-acre site, with Fashnu arrested after going to investigate contractors building a fence on his land.

He alleged the workmen were accompanied by police, with both he and his lawyer subsequently arrested after co-operating and going to a local police station.

Fashanu is now suing after being subjected to “arrest, detention and inhuman treatment” for “about three hours” by the force on December 16.

London, UK.   Alexandra Schauman  and John Fashanu   at the photocall for the set of Dancing on Ice. ITV Studios. 11th January 2023. Ref:LMK11-SLIVE120122-001.  Steve Bealing/Landmark Media .
London, UK. Alexandra Schauman and John Fashanu at the photocall for the set of Dancing on Ice. ITV Studios. 11th January 2023. Ref:LMK11-SLIVE120122-001. Steve Bealing/Landmark Media . Picture: Alamy

He adds that police violated their duties with “subsequent intermittent constraints of his personal liberty”.

The star, who became the host of the Nigerian version of TV show Deal or No Deal in recent years, claims a “gross unconstitutional violation” has taken place following the dispute.

Mr Chigbu, the star's lawyer, has since confirmed both he and the Fashanu's have now been released on bail.

The lawyer reportedly commented: "All three have perfected their bail conditions. They have all met the requirements to be admitted on administrative bail by police."

LBC has contacted the Nigerian Police Force for comment.

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

Iran has denied backing Yemen's Houthis after the US launched airstrikes in the country's capital and Donald Trump promised to 'hold Iran accountable' for allegedly supporting the rebels.

Iran denies aiding Houthi rebels after US strikes Yemen and Trump threatens to hold Tehran 'fully accountable'

Pope Francesco greets the faithful in St. Peter's Square.

Pope facing 'period of trial' as Pontif issues Sunday prayer from hospital

A firefighter inspects a nightclub after a massive fire in the town of Kocani, North Macedonia, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (AP Photo/Boris Grdanoski)

Arrest warrants issued for four people as North Macedonia nightclub fire death toll rises to 59

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

At least 50 dead after fire rips through nightclub in North Macedonia

This image made from video by NASA shows astronauts waving after the SpaceX capsule docked with the International Space Station, Sunday, March 16, 2025. Top row from left: Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov, Suni Williams, Alexei Ovchinin.

Over the moon: SpaceX capsule docks with ISS as stranded NASA astronauts welcome replacement crew

A view of the pollution caused by garbage and various wastes following the thousands of Palestinians displaced under the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel have returned to the northern Gaza Strip in Jabalia, Gaza on March 13, 2025.

US rejects Hamas’s ‘entirely impractical’ demands to implement ceasefire as talks reach impasse

The US has launched large strikes in Yemen as Donald Trump promised "overwhelming lethal force" until the Houthis cease attacks on shipping.

US launches strikes on Yemen as Trump promises 'overwhelming lethal force' against Houthis

"I ran, not to rip the joey away from its mother, but from fear she might attack me," Jones, who also uses the name Samantha Strable, posted on social media.

American influencer apologises after being threatened with deportation for snatching baby wombat from mum

NASA astronauts Nick Hague, right, Suni Williams, and Butch Wilmore. (NASA via AP)

'Stranded' NASA astronauts set to return from nine month space mission - but what health issues could they face?

Smoke billows from the MV Solong cargo ship in the North Sea, off the Yorkshire coast in England, Tuesday, March 11, 2025. (Dan Kitwood/Pool Photo via AP)

Russian captain of Solong container ship remanded in custody following crash with US oil tanker

BRITAIN-UKRAINE-DIPLOMACY-POLITICS-DEFENCE

'Coalition of the willing': Starmer hosts Ukraine peace summit as PM urges Putin to 'come to the negotiating table'

Melbourne, Australia. 15th Mar, 2025. Lando Norris of McLaren celebrates taking pole position during Qualifying at Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Victoria, Saturday, March 15, 2025.

Lando Norris takes pole in Australia GP qualifying - as Lewis Hamilton trails in eighth on Ferrari debut

Merritt Island, Florida, USA. 14th Mar, 2025. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Crew-10 astronauts lifts off from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on Mar. 14.

SpaceX rocket finally launches to bring two stranded NASA astronauts back to earth after nine months

Vladimir Putin must stop playing games with a ceasefire and come to the table, Sir Keir Starmer said, as he convenes world leaders to discuss peacekeeping in Ukraine

Starmer to host Ukraine peace summit - as he warns Putin to 'stop playing games' with ceasefire and come to table

Donald Trump speaks at the Justice Department

Trump insists peace talks with Russia are going 'really well' despite Putin being accused of 'delaying tactics'

The MV Stena Immaculate tanker after it was hit by the MV Solong container vessel in the North Sea

Captain of container ship Solong which crashed into US oil tanker charged with gross negligence manslaughter