Obodo Denies Assault Allegation In Italy

Nigeria midfielder Christian Obodo has strongly denied reports that he helped assault a Nigerian lady in Italy over four years ago.

Italian reports, subsequently picked up by Nigerian media claimed that the victim, Cynthia Obasegie, named the midfielder as one of two men who assaulted her in 2007 and that the Lecce man now faces the prospect of jail term.

It is a claim that both Obodo, and Ms Obasegie strongly refute “I couldn’t believe it when I saw it,” Obodo told KickOffNigeria.com as he narrated the events that took place on the day.

“All I did was try to make peace. I had just come back from a game and stopped at the African store owned by Obidike Okechukwu when I saw Cynthia, whom I call Lilly being assaulted by her ex Damian Uwaoma.

“Since I did not want her to get hurt, I tried to calm her down and get her into the office and away from the fight. After that, I left.

“When the case went to court, I got a letter asking me to appear as a witness. By the time I appeared, Mr Uwaoma and his advisers had changed things and accused me of assaulting her.”

Obodo’s version of events is corroborated by the victim. “He came in, and when he saw what was going on, he pulled me away and took me inside.

“He always calls me Mama Lilly, and he did not act like a star and ignore what was going on. He tried to protect me,” Ms Obasegie said. “And when I went to court, I told them that all he did was try to be a peace maker.

“If it wasn’t for Christian, maybe I would have been worse, and that is what I told the judge. I don’t know how they are now saying he assaulted me.

“Maybe they are trying to make money from him.”

Obodo revealed that he is confident of emerging innocent, and keen to take the matter further in order to clear his name.