In spite of the denials by the sports ministry officials in Rio de Janeiro that the Team Nigeria captain Mikel Obi paid the hotel bills of the extra persons with the football team at the Olympics, it has been confirmed that the money has actually been returned to the Chelsea midfielder.
The national Under-23 team were stopped from leaving their HOTEL IN
When the news broke out that Mikel had paid the bills, the sports ministry denied it.
The statement from the ministry read, “The attention of the Ministry of Youth and Sports has again been drawn to the news that Team Nigeria’s captain John Mikel Obi paid hotel bills accruing from the eight unaccredited players and officials in Rio with the national U-23 team.
“According to the Minister of Youth and Sports Solomon Dalung, the coach of the team Samson Siasia in company of another official had come knocking on his door at about 4am Sao Paolo time.
“Siasia was in my room early this morning and said the hotel security had refused to allow the team leave the hotel due to unpaid bills. I also lodged in the same hotel with the Permanent Secretary and other members of the National Assembly who came to watch the match against Colombia.
“I told him to add the bill to the Permanent Secretary’s bill so that he can clear it alongside other bills. The amount incurred by the excess officials and players is $4,600. When we checked out of the hotel, the money was added and the Permanent Secretary paid all outstanding bills. I am surprised to hear and read that Mikel Obi saved an embarrassing situation by paying the bills.”
But a source in Rio confirmed to The PUNCH that the sports ministry had refunded Mikel.
The Nigeria Football Federation confirmed on its official website on Sunday that the money had been returned to Mikel.
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