Between Etim Esin and Jay Jay Okocha – an unwanted distraction!
Categories: General
Written By: Segun Odegbami
I read about it in a daily newspaper before I read ‘Chief Justice’ Adokie’s reaction to the story last Sunday in his Punch column. The story is that Etim Esin was invited by Jay Jay Okocha to his house for a New Year party. During the party Okocha’s expensive mobile telephone hand set developed wings. Shockingly, Etim was suspected of being the culprit, was immediately accosted, verbally challenged, and publicly searched. Nothing was found on him. Etim was infuriated with the whole episode and, particularly, Okocha’s failure to apologise to him for the humiliating treatment after it was confirmed he had nothing to do with the theft. Etim took his story to the press and reactions have since been pouring in.
I really do not know the truth of the matter. It would be very necessary to get to the root of the matter as quickly as possible and resolve it in the best interest of the two persons concerned. The more I think of it the more worried I am. What could possibly have happened? If a phone set was indeed missing, why would anyone, least of all the chief Host himself, Jay Jay, have suspected and accused Etim Esin? Is Etim’s past, which was about drugs and women, but never anything about theft, being used to judge him even now? Did anyone see him take it the phone? Or was it deliberately done to discredit him and halt the recent debate in some quarters about who’s the better player between Etim and Okocha? Or what? Even if Etim was suspected, why would Jay Jay not have taken steps to protect him first rather than openly accuse him even if he was absolutely sure he took it? Considering the caliber of persons that must have been at the party and that witnessed this show of shame why was Okocha not more circumvent about it all? Why did Jay Jay not apologise afterwards? More questions. When Etim was searched and nothing was found on him what then did Okocha do? Why did Okocha invite Etim to his house to start with if he did not think highly enough about his senior colleague to have protected him even if he did what he was accused of doing? What is an expensive hand set to a Jay Jay Okocha compared to the potential damage that could be done to the image of one of his own whether he took the phone set or not? Jay Jay has not responded to Etim’s angry accusation that Jay Jay deliberately framed him for humiliation out of jealousy that some people think he was a better player. Jay Jay who has not said anything to clear the air about the incident since it went public. It leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
Since no one seems to know exactly what happened it would be wrong to draw conclusions from Etim’s story alone. This silly incident should not be allowed to taint the joy and nostalgia of the great performances by these two artists who lit up the football scene of Nigeria everywhere he played. This surely is an unwanted distraction from more important things. I appeal to Jay Jay to speak up!
February 3rd, 2009 at 11:20 AM
I believe in wat okocha said….about etim esin being ungarteful. Taking into consideration that he(okocha) invited him to his farewell game and also invited him to is party….all because he wants to humiliate him? its just unbelievable. Who is he(etim) that needs to be embarassd. I believe d guy is just trying to make okocha and dis a case a money making venture….Chai! Naija?
February 9th, 2009 at 8:21 PM
Na wa for you o Mr. Commentator… So if you were searched like a thief for a mobile phone you will not react? Only a bastard and a real thief would keep mute. Etim’s wife was also disgraced. Okocha should apologize but Etim should stop going-a-begging in his hour of need and earn himself some respect. Etim should accept that he is no longer a star and start a new life. Well, maybe Mr. Sege can advise Etim… so that he can stop making a fool of himself.
February 19th, 2009 at 7:43 PM
I appeal to both to please find a common ground to ressolve this issue. You must see yourselves as brothers from the Niger delta. while one of you is a shinning star, the other is a star that failed to shine. Life is one big road where everyone needs someone at one point or the other. May God give both of you the wisdom to ressolve this issue, Amen!
February 25th, 2009 at 2:42 PM
I think this Etim is just looking for a way of making money. Yes he was searched, but all the guests in the place were said to have also been searched. Okocha said when he came down and saw the search going on, he stopped it. He said he also apoligised to Etim and gave him money. Etim took the money then only to begin to shout about five days later. He is ungrateful. He should just shut his trap
March 7th, 2009 at 1:59 AM
I am glad and relieved that this ugly episode has come to pass.
You two friends have shown as I have always known that you are far, far bigger than all these pettiness and will remember this day forever.
“One thing you will probably remember well is any time you forgive and forget.” – Franklin Jones
I beg to disagree with Newman above who said “while one of you is a shinning star, the other is a star that failed to shine”.
No way sir, these two great football maestros are and will always be shinning stars in our eyes.
March 13th, 2009 at 1:48 PM
@Jaguar
NA True u talk my Broda!
March 24th, 2009 at 7:45 PM
I believe it will be ideal for Jay Jay Okocha to come out with his own version before one can draw a conclusion.However, his failure to do so makes him guilty.
I know a lot about Etim before I left Nigeria about 10 years ago and based on what I have read in recent times, I believe he has turned a new leaf.
Furthermore, during his BAD BOY Days,he was never accused of stealing anything thus making it quite hard to believe he would steal hand set.
Common guys!!! these are items sold on the streets here in San Francisco.
On a more serious note, the public humiliation Okocha meted out to Etim could as well land Okocha in a legal hot soup.Remember, all suspects are innocnet until proven guilty.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:54 PM
The issue has been resolved and the matter settled. The two great Nigerian heroes have resumed their friendship. Segun
August 28th, 2010 at 2:24 AM
Segun, you are always a football model, i admire you alot. But to be honest, whatever the case should be, i blame this absolute rubbish to our government because of insecurity.
How many big time footballers carry body guards… I was in the same club with Zidane last month in Madrid, he was flexible, no body guard but his security was assured probably b/c of CCTV….Who’s the poor and hungry looking touts that serves as Okocha’s body guard to defamate etim’s wife…that’s where the story looks so pathetic….Anyway what is an Iphone for christ sake, even if Etim stole the phone, can’t okocha block his contacts and the phone, i mean with I phone it’s easy once you ring apple…I love okocha’s football tactics but to be honest, he’s the least civilised guy i have ever seen in my life…I live in England, go and see where he hang out in england…in a bush place call adlingnton, near bolton lancashire… He should be advised to mature and be civilised… He has no reason to insult not even etim but his wife. because of I phone, c’mon guys this is purely pathetic…