Former Warri Wolves captain, Ekene Olisema, has appealed to the Delta State Government to intervene in an alleged contractual dispute between him and the state-owned football club.
Olisema, a professional footballer who previously captained Warri Wolves during its Nigeria National League campaign, alleged that his two-year contract with the club was terminated before its expiration, following a directive from the Delta State Sports Commission.
The player also claimed that the club owes him outstanding salaries and other contractual entitlements, including alleged shortfalls in his monthly remuneration.
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, running until 2027.
He alleged that for seven months before the termination of his contract, he was paid ₦350,000 monthly instead of the agreed ₦500,000, without any prior negotiation or agreement to vary the contractual terms.
“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 refrained from making the matter public, preferring an internal and peaceful resolution.
However, after his players’ agent and FIFA-licensed players’ agent, Aminu Yusuf, formally wrote to Warri Wolves on July 18, 2026, requesting clarification on the discontinuation of his contractual engagement and settlement of alleged outstanding obligations, Olisema said the club had yet to respond.
In the letter, a copy of which was made available to NewsNet Nigeria, Yusuf stated that his client was contracted for two seasons and alleged that the club unilaterally paid him ₦350,000 monthly from January to May 2026, leaving a salary balance of ₦150,000 per month.
The letter calculated the alleged salary shortfall for the five-month period at ₦750,000 and further listed a residual contractual claim covering the period from June 2026 to June 2027, bringing the total claim to ₦7.25 million.
The agent requested the club to state its position and clarify the basis for dropping the player 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 in the absence of a response, his client would be at liberty to pursue remedies available to him.
Olisema said his decision to seek government intervention was motivated by the need for transparency, justice and the fulfilment of legitimate contractual obligations.
He also alleged that about 13 other players may have been affected by similar circumstances, although he acknowledged that some of them had become reluctant to continue speaking 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 players of Warri Wolves.
He said he was particularly concerned that unresolved contractual disputes involving a state-owned football institution could create negative perceptions about the government, even when relevant authorities might not have been fully aware of the details.
Olisema added that 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.
Club’s Position
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 on the player’s financial status, while Olisema’s subsequent appeal and his agent’s July 18 correspondence challenge that position.
