RASHIDI YEKEEN

[5/3, 21:10] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Good Evening Lawyer Jibril

[5/3, 21:16] +234 803 763 7233: I am sincerely ready for you and everyone in the house

[5/3, 21:16] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Okay, let's roll

[5/3, 21:17] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: How and when did you know Rashidi Yekini?

[5/3, 21:17] +234 803 763 7233: Sorry, I am having difficulty with the network here

[5/3, 21:17] +234 803 763 7233: I met late Yekini during my youth service year in Ibadan

[5/3, 21:17] +234 803 763 7233: That was 2001 to be precise

[5/3, 21:18] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: How did you become his lawyer?

[5/3, 21:19] +234 803 763 7233: I became his lawyer immediately I finished service around 2012 and after leaving my 1st principal

[5/3, 21:20] +234 803 763 7233: He was apparently not satisfied with the service he got from his former counsel

[5/3, 21:20] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Interestingly smoothly

[5/3, 21:21] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Please, can you tell us how many wives Rashidi had and children?

[5/3, 21:21] +234 803 763 7233: Hmmm!

[5/3, 21:21] +234 803 763 7233: Interesting question, I would say

[5/3, 21:22] +234 803 763 7233: Legally, he had four different wives at different occasions

[5/3, 21:22] +234 803 763 7233: However, he was survived by two daughters

[5/3, 21:23] +234 803 763 7233: Rasheedat Yemisi Yekini and Mariam Yemi Yekini

[5/3, 21:24] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Cool...... So we should know that Rashidi Yekini is survived by only two daughters?

[5/3, 21:25] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: What then come about the four wives with just two children, the rest, did they not give birth?

[5/3, 21:25] +234 803 763 7233: Yes, that is as far as I know

[5/3, 21:26] +234 803 763 7233: They didn’t give birth

[5/3, 21:26] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Oh

[5/3, 21:26] +234 803 763 7233: Those two other marriages didn’t last more than one month

[5/3, 21:27] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: People say his life was too secretive, was he really an introvert? From fans perceptions.

[5/3, 21:29] +234 803 763 7233: Yes, he was an introvert for the greater part of his life. He would only become lively on the football pitch or anything that concerns football

[5/3, 21:30] +234 803 763 7233: However, he told me he was not born an introvert

[5/3, 21:32] +234 803 763 7233: Circumstances surrounding the death of his father and the way his uncle treated him after his father’s death structured his life style

[5/3, 21:34] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Tell us what he said

[5/3, 21:34] +234 803 763 7233: Though reluctantly

[5/3, 21:35] +234 803 763 7233: He was not happy with what people rumoured that he was making some incantations

[5/3, 21:35] +234 803 763 7233: He was simply shouting his name

[5/3, 21:35] +234 803 763 7233: “Rashidi”!

[5/3, 21:35] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Cool

[5/3, 21:36] +234 803 763 7233: And praising God afterwards, until Uche Okechukwu tapped his shoulder

[5/3, 21:36] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Is it true that Rashidi don't relate with his teammates at the Super Eagles after game?

[5/3, 21:37] +234 803 763 7233: That is not true

[5/3, 21:39] +234 803 763 7233: He related very well with Emmanuel Amuneke. He also related a bit well with Siasia and Rufai. However, like I said he picked his friends. If Gangling feels comfortable with you, he will relate well with you

[5/3, 21:40] +234 803 763 7233: He was also comfortable with Mutiu Adepoju. Infact, Adepoju used to stay over in his house.

[5/3, 21:40] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: How true is the story that Rashid Yekini was a motor mechanic before  he started his football career?

[5/3, 21:41] +234 803 763 7233: Very false.

[5/3, 21:41] +234 803 763 7233: He was into menial jobs immediately his father died.

[5/3, 21:42] +234 803 763 7233: He was learning aluminium fabrication before he ran out of his uncle house in Kaduna and became a street footballer

[5/3, 21:42] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Till his death, did he has someone he could called his bossom friend?

[5/3, 21:43] +234 803 763 7233: Toughest question ni yi oo

[5/3, 21:43] +234 803 763 7233: I became his confidant after several test

[5/3, 21:45] +234 803 763 7233: You know that the firm of Afe Babalola was handling his case before he went to my former principal

[5/3, 21:45] +234 803 763 7233: He became my client when he realised that we are from the same state and because, most importantly, we shared the same faith

[5/3, 21:46] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Wait o, you are from Kwara? Where?

[5/3, 21:46] +234 803 763 7233: So, became comfortable with me and could tell me anything about him

[5/3, 21:47] +234 803 763 7233: Yes ooo!

[5/3, 21:47] +234 803 763 7233: Kwara all rounder

[5/3, 21:48] +234 803 763 7233: My mum from Ilorin and my dad from Pategi. Infact, I am a prince from Pategi 💪

[5/3, 21:48] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Oh my goodness

[5/3, 21:49] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Lawyer, was Rashidi Yekini really 'insane'? before he died?

[5/3, 21:49] +234 803 763 7233: Not at all

[5/3, 21:50] +234 803 763 7233: Sincerely, not true and I am saying this with every sense of responsibility

[5/3, 21:50] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: We learnt then that he used to burn money in the streets of Ibadan....... True or false?

[5/3, 21:50] +234 803 763 7233: I am sincerely saying this in the month of Ramadan

[5/3, 21:51] +234 803 763 7233: This is blatant lies

[5/3, 21:51] +234 803 763 7233: He never burnt money nor burnt any of his belongings

[5/3, 21:53] +234 803 763 7233: I could recall when I confronted him with the story of burning his property. He simply took me through his house and asked if I noticed any semblance of burnt property

[5/3, 21:54] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Okay, why did he chose to be living alone in Ibadan without any of his wives and children?

[5/3, 21:54] +234 803 763 7233: He simply laughed off the story

[5/3, 21:56] +234 803 763 7233: You know, like I said earlier, he had series of unsuccessful marriages. Gangling, was an introvert all through. You also need to be extremely neat and patient if you wanna live with him

[5/3, 21:56] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Hmmmmmmm

[5/3, 21:57] +234 803 763 7233: He never settled down with the mother of his first daughter

[5/3, 21:58] +234 803 763 7233: He technically broke up with Princess Deola because he couldn’t stay together with her

[5/3, 21:58] +234 803 763 7233: However, he was always having short and brief relationships afterwards

[5/3, 21:58] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Did Rashidi Yekini do any wedding ceremony with any of his wives ?

[5/3, 22:00] +234 803 763 7233: Yes. Just one wedding and that was with Kemi sometimes around 1994, shortly before the World Cup

[5/3, 22:00] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Okay, Kemi has which of the daughters?

[5/3, 22:00] +234 803 763 7233: Was a very massive wedding here in Ibadan

[5/3, 22:01] +234 803 763 7233: She didn’t conceived for him . No time. National duty.

[5/3, 22:01] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Oh

[5/3, 22:02] +234 803 763 7233: Above all, they broke up immediately after the World Cup. It’s a long story, sir

[5/3, 22:02] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Okay, Lawyer, where were you when Rashidi died?

[5/3, 22:03] +234 803 763 7233: I was in Ibadan, Oyo State

[5/3, 22:04] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Did you know about where he was taken to before he dues?

[5/3, 22:04] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Died

[5/3, 22:06] +234 803 763 7233: I later got to know after the 40 days Fidau I personally organised for him

[5/3, 22:07] +234 803 763 7233: The siblings, who masterminded his abduction were present and they later told me everything

[5/3, 22:08] +234 803 763 7233: Infact, Rafiat came back, personally to my office to apologise to me

[5/3, 22:08] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Are you saying you had no communication with your client after he was adducted until his death?

[5/3, 22:09] +234 803 763 7233: Not at all!

[5/3, 22:09] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Why?

[5/3, 22:09] +234 803 763 7233: I was not even aware that he was abducted until they announced his death

[5/3, 22:10] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: OMG, Did you call his phones?

[5/3, 22:11] +234 803 763 7233: I did but switched off. You know, Gangling will never pick your calls except you have a prior appointment with him. He would rather call you if it’s important

[5/3, 22:12] +234 803 763 7233: It was deliberate

[5/3, 22:12] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Jesus

[5/3, 22:13] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Lawyer, there are speculation that you have been scolding Yekini's mother and his other younger ones since his demise....... Can you clear the air on this

[5/3, 22:14] +234 803 763 7233: Scolding ke?

[5/3, 22:15] +234 803 763 7233: I challenged about Yekini’s death because I believe strongly that he was murdered by those marabout the family engaged to abduct him

[5/3, 22:17] +234 803 763 7233: I came to that conclusion because Gangling warned me that if I refused to protect him he would be murdered

[5/3, 22:17] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: OMG

[5/3, 22:18] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Did you try to get those who adducted him?

[5/3, 22:19] +234 803 763 7233: I couldn’t because the family refused to disclose their identities

[5/3, 22:19] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: And did you try your best to protect him or your best was not enough?

[5/3, 22:20] +234 803 763 7233: In the same vein, I had no moral support to challenge the family to disclose

[5/3, 22:20] +234 803 763 7233: By God, I did my best.

[5/3, 22:22] +234 803 763 7233: There were like three other attempts to abduct him, which I was able to foil before they succeeded

[5/3, 22:23] +234 803 763 7233: I was lucky to have Baba Adisa Bolanta as the commissioner of Police, oyo state command that time

[5/3, 22:24] +234 803 763 7233: He intervened in one of those occasions they tried to take him away, after I alerted him

[5/3, 22:25] +234 803 763 7233: He summoned everyone, including the family members and the DPO in charge of the area to his office, where he gave a standing order for his protection and warned his family not to move near his house

[5/3, 22:26] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Sad

[5/3, 22:27] +234 803 763 7233: Very sad!

[5/3, 22:27] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: But can his family actually killed him? Or they only wanted to help him?

[5/3, 22:28] +234 803 763 7233: I honestly cannot answer this.

[5/3, 22:28] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Also, we learnt you have totally ignored his mother since Rashidi died

True or false?

[5/3, 22:30] +234 803 763 7233: However, it’s instructive to know that his immediate younger sister and second brother; Rafiat and Hakeem are both late now

[5/3, 22:30] +234 803 763 7233: Yes sir

[5/3, 22:30] +234 803 763 7233: I have to because I value my life

[5/3, 22:30] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: You have ignored his mother? Why?

[5/3, 22:31] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Chai......

[5/3, 22:31] +234 803 763 7233: I am honestly not happy with her.

[5/3, 22:32] +234 803 763 7233: She led those marabouts to abduct Rashidi

[5/3, 22:34] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Haaaaaaa

[5/3, 22:35] +234 803 763 7233: She was very reckless and rash with the way she handled the issue

[5/3, 22:36] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Lawyer, you mean Yekini's mother was the architect behind Rashidi's abduction?

[5/3, 22:37] +234 803 763 7233: Yekini consistently told her not to worry. He maintained that there was absolutely nothing wrong with him but she chose to do that she wanted

[5/3, 22:37] +234 803 763 7233: She was the one who led those people to him.

[5/3, 22:38] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Can you say this to her face?

[5/3, 22:38] +234 803 763 7233: Gangling wouldn’t have allowed those marabouts into his compound but for his Mum’s presence

[5/3, 22:39] +234 803 763 7233: Ibitoye, she knows. She never denied this facts.

[5/3, 22:39] +234 803 763 7233: The neighbors told me

[5/3, 22:40] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: God

[5/3, 22:41] +234 803 763 7233: Late Rafia and Hakeem also corroborated the above facts. I also remember that you got this information from her

[5/3, 22:42] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Lawyer, who is the doctor you knew with Yekini

[5/3, 22:43] +234 803 763 7233: I can’t really remember his name, but his office was directly behind lister building, off ring road, Ibadan

[5/3, 22:43] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: And are you in talking terms with Rashidi's other younger brother Ismaila

[5/3, 22:44] +234 803 763 7233: He was the only private doctor I knew him with. You know, he never had any serious health challenges

[5/3, 22:44] +234 803 763 7233: Oh yes! Very well

[5/3, 22:44] +234 803 763 7233: He calls me anytime

[5/3, 22:45] +234 803 763 7233: The wife also calls anytime

[5/3, 22:45] +234 803 763 7233: He is very reasonable

[5/3, 22:45] +234 803 763 7233: Maybe because he lives in far away Kaduna

[5/3, 22:47] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Lawyer, Kwara state Government then made cash promise for Yekini's family the day he was buried....... Did you get the money and how much

[5/3, 22:47] +234 803 763 7233: Maybe the mother (family) got it

[5/3, 22:49] +234 803 763 7233: I am not sure whether the pledge was redeemed by the state Government just the same way the decision to name Kwara stadium after him was not carried out

[5/3, 22:49] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Were you the only closed person in the know then about the intention to kidnap Yekini? Was there any other friend, relative or former teammates who knew?

[5/3, 22:50] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Who made the promise of renaming the State stadium after him?

[5/3, 22:51] +234 803 763 7233: Baba Adisa Bolanta is still alive. Interestingly, he has retired and resides in Ilorin now

[5/3, 22:51] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Cool

[5/3, 22:53] +234 803 763 7233: The former administration of Kwara state. Infact, Atunwa, who was the former speaker said it openly during the 8th day fidaau in Ira

[5/3, 22:54] +234 803 763 7233: Yes sir! He mentioned subsequently that the house of Assembly has concluded its part but waiting for the former Governor’s assent

[5/3, 22:55] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Lawyer, apart from the House in Ibadan....... Which other assets Yekini left behind?

[5/3, 22:56] +234 803 763 7233: The two storey building in Ira

[5/3, 22:56] +234 803 763 7233: Ijagbo, I meant to say

[5/3, 22:56] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Oh

[5/3, 22:56] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Who's living in Ibadan House now

[5/3, 22:58] +234 803 763 7233: The children, who are the primary beneficiaries of his estate just got a tenant in the building late last year

[5/3, 22:59] +234 803 763 7233: The Tenant undertakes to renovate same and use the fund expended on same as rents

[5/3, 22:59] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: This means the house has been locked since Yekini died?

[5/3, 23:00] +234 803 763 7233: Yes

[5/3, 23:00] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Did Rashidi Yekini leave any big money in his account?

[5/3, 23:01] +234 803 763 7233: No

[5/3, 23:01] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Chai

[5/3, 23:01] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: What was your memorable moment with Rashidi Yekini

[5/3, 23:02] +234 803 763 7233: Very many memories

[5/3, 23:02] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Can we know the best?

[5/3, 23:03] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Describe your relationship with him in a nutshell

[5/3, 23:03] +234 803 763 7233: You know we used to play football set together at the police ground, Eleiyele, Ibadan

[5/3, 23:05] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Sorry Lawyer...... We will soon allow you to leave 🙏🙏

[5/3, 23:06] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Did Yekini ever talked about his rivalry on the pitch with Victor Ikpeba during the 1994/98 World Cup?

[5/3, 23:07] +234 803 763 7233: My best memory of him was the day I almost a big brief with Starcomms Plc. He saw me after I came back from the meeting in lagos. He noticed my mood and he was not comfortable about it. He demanded for the reason which I divulged to him. He promised to pray over it for me and he assured me I would win the contact, which I eventually did

[5/3, 23:07] +234 803 763 7233: Never! He never discussed his colleagues with me

[5/3, 23:08] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: As Yekinni lawyer, did any individual or club or company owing the late Super Eagles striker?

Is NFF or Nigerian government owing him?

[5/3, 23:08] +234 803 763 7233: He was not in the habit of discussing people

[5/3, 23:08] +234 803 763 7233: He rarely talks

[5/3, 23:08] +234 803 763 7233: Not to my knowledge

[5/3, 23:09] +234 803 763 7233: He didn’t tell me anyone or clubs were owing him

[5/3, 23:10] +234 803 763 7233: I recalled that he was not drawing any salary or emoluments from Gateway FC , the last club he played for

[5/3, 23:11] +234 803 763 7233: He told the management to give whatever was due to him to the young players in the club

[5/3, 23:11] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Lawyer, tomorrow is Rashidi Yekini's eight years remembrance day, what message do you have for Kwarans?

[5/3, 23:11] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Oh

[5/3, 23:12] +234 803 763 7233: Eight years ke?

[5/3, 23:12] +234 803 763 7233: How time flies

[5/3, 23:12] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Abi

[5/3, 23:13] +234 803 763 7233: My message is simple, immortalise Rashidi Yekini

[5/3, 23:13] +234 803 763 7233: I will be fulfilled and I am sure that will bring closure to the circumstances surrounding his death

[5/3, 23:14] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Your last word before you take your leave?

[5/3, 23:15] +234 803 763 7233: I miss my brother, my friend and my client.

[5/3, 23:15] +234 803 763 7233: Continue to rest in peace

[5/3, 23:16] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Also Kwara United GM BASHIR BADAWIY is from Irra and he just told me that's he's planning something big for Yekini and wants you to bring his two daughters

[5/3, 23:16] +234 803 763 7233: Rashidi was a great patriot, who served Nigeria at the expense of his family and happiness

[5/3, 23:16] +234 803 763 7233: Aaaaaw!

[5/3, 23:16] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Will you and the two daughters be available if called?

[5/3, 23:16] +234 803 763 7233: Thanks so much

[5/3, 23:17] +234 803 763 7233: Yemisi lives in London

[5/3, 23:18] +234 803 763 7233: Yemi is serving in Multichoice (Dstv) lagos. I will discuss with her before committing myself

[5/3, 23:19] Ibitoye Journalist Kwara State: Thanks for your time Lawyer Jibril..... God bless you

[5/3, 23:19] +234 803 763 7233: Amin thuma Amin

[5/3, 23:19] +234 803 763 7233: Thanks for having me

[5/3, 23:19] +234 803 763 7233: It’s my sincere pleasure

[5/3, 23:19] +234 803 763 7233: Anything for Kwara