Dynamos Nigerian trialist weeps in court

HARARE – A Nigerian footballer, who came for trials at Dynamos Football Club before he was arrested, yesterday wept uncontrollably in court after a Harare magistrate acquitted him of contravening immigration laws.

Uneke Afamefuna Chukwunonso (25) could be seen crying and wiping off tears with a white and grey towel after Harare magistrate Ms Rebecca Takadii ruled he had not breached the law since he had a valid visa into Zimbabwe. Ms Takadii said;

“This is a genuine case of ignorance on law by the immigration department. The visa is still valid and failure to renew his permit is not a reason to arrest him. Instead they were supposed to ask him to pay a fine. He was arrested by overzealous immigration officers who thought there was a case against him.”

Earlier on and in his defence, Chukwunonso said he had come to Zimbabwe at the invitation of Dynamos Football Club.

“I am a professional soccer-player and was called into the country by Dynamos through an invitation letter. I have been in the country since September and Dynamos Football Club had promised a contract if they were interested in my performance after a week of assessment.”