Former Warri Wolves captain, Ekene Olisema, has appealed to the Delta State Government to intervene in an alleged contractual dispute with the state-owned football club over his contract termination and a claimed ₦7.25 million in outstanding entitlements.
Olisema, who previously captained Warri Wolves during its Nigeria National League campaign, alleged that his two-year contract was terminated before its expiration following a directive from the Delta State Sports Commission.
Key Highlights
- Ekene Olisema claims his two-year Warri Wolves contract was terminated before its expiration.
- The former captain says he was contracted at a monthly salary of ₦500,000.
- He alleges that he was paid ₦350,000 monthly for seven months before his contract was terminated.
- His players’ agent, Aminu Yusuf, has presented a ₦7.25 million claim covering alleged salary shortfalls and the remaining contractual period.
- Warri Wolves, however, issued a release letter stating that the club was not indebted to Olisema.
- Olisema is asking the Delta State Government to investigate the dispute and establish the facts.
According to documents made available to NewsNet Nigeria, Olisema said he signed a two-year contract with Warri Wolves in August 2025, with an agreed monthly salary of ₦500,000. The contract was expected to run until August 2027.
He alleged that for seven months before the termination of his contract, the club paid him ₦350,000 monthly instead of the agreed ₦500,000.
“My signed contract was for two years, to run from August 2025 to August 2027, at a monthly salary of ₦500,000. But for seven months before the club terminated my contract, I was being paid ₦350,000 instead of the agreed ₦500,000. There was no negotiation to that effect,” Olisema stated.
The former captain said he initially chose not to make the matter public, preferring to resolve the dispute internally and peacefully.
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Agent’s Letter Details ₦7.25 Million Claim
However, after his players’ agent and FIFA-licensed players’ agent, Aminu Yusuf, wrote to Warri Wolves on July 18, 2026, seeking clarification on the discontinuation of Olisema’s contract and settlement of alleged outstanding obligations, the player said the club had not responded.
In the letter, a copy of which was made available to NewsNet Nigeria, Yusuf stated that Olisema was contracted for two seasons and alleged that the club unilaterally paid him ₦350,000 monthly from January to May 2026.
The agent said this left a salary shortfall of ₦150,000 per month. For the five-month period, he calculated the alleged shortfall at ₦750,000.
The letter also listed an additional contractual claim covering the period from June 2026 to June 2027, bringing the total amount claimed to ₦7.25 million.
Yusuf requested the club to state its position and clarify the basis for dropping Olisema and discontinuing his contractual engagement.
“A one-sided account does not provide a complete basis for determining the merits of the matter. We therefore request the Club to state its position and clarify the basis upon which the Player was dropped and his contractual engagement discontinued,” the letter stated.
The agent further warned that if the club failed to respond, his client would be at liberty to pursue available remedies.
Olisema Seeks Government Intervention
Olisema said his decision to seek the intervention of the Delta State Government was driven by his desire for transparency, justice and the fulfilment of what he described as legitimate contractual obligations.
He also alleged that about 13 other players may have been affected by similar circumstances. However, he said some of the players had become reluctant to speak publicly about their experiences.
“I am not seeking confrontation or trying to damage the image of Warri Wolves. I served the club, captained the team and have respect for the institution. I am simply asking for justice, the fulfilment of contractual obligations and for the appropriate authorities to do the needful,” he said.
The former captain appealed to the Delta State Government to investigate the matter and establish the facts surrounding the alleged termination of contracts and outstanding payments involving Warri Wolves players.
He expressed concern that unresolved contractual disputes involving a state-owned football institution could create negative perceptions about the government, particularly if relevant authorities were not fully aware of the circumstances.
Olisema said he was prepared to provide his contract, termination communication, correspondence from his agent and other relevant documents to facilitate an independent review of his claims.
Warri Wolves Disputes Indebtedness Claim
However, a Letter of Release issued by Warri Wolves Football Club on June 24, 2026, and signed by its Secretary, Ukah Chukwuma Henry, stated that Olisema had been released to play for any club of his choice.
The letter also stated that the club was not indebted to the player.
“The club is not indebted to him in anyway and wishes him all the very best in his future endeavor,” the letter stated.
The June 24 release letter represents the club’s documented position regarding Olisema’s financial status.
Olisema’s subsequent appeal and his agent’s July 18 correspondence, however, dispute that position and maintain that outstanding contractual obligations remain unpaid.
The competing claims have not been independently resolved, and the matter could require intervention by the relevant football authorities or the Delta State Government to establish the contractual and financial position of both parties.
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