Billionaire businessman Philip Udala may have been killed due to business transactions gone awry, if audio tapes making the rounds on the social media are anything to go by.
Udala, a sports enthusiast and owner of Anambra-based Udala Football Club, was killed on Tuesday, July 13, 2021, at Eke Agu market junction with four other persons in his convoy.
Those killed with him were the Team Manager of his football club/Secretary of Anambra Independent Football League (AIFL), Godsent Eriobu, and three police escorts.
Chief Udala, an indigene of Uke in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State and a grassroots football development enthusiast, came to limelight following the formation of his football club, Udala FC, in 2016. The team subsequently gained promotion to the National League.
Udala was part of those that fought to bring sanity to Anambra State Football Association (ASFA) and ensure the kick-off of Anambra Independent Football league which was earlier scheduled to end on July 16, 2021.
It is with the deepest regret and a collective broken heart that we announce the untimely death of our President, High Chief Philip Chinonso Udala (Nwanweniteaku Idemili).
Chief Udala tragically lost his life on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 when unknown gun men attacked his convoy killing him alongside our team's manager, Godsent Eriobu and others.
The primary thoughts of everyone at the Club are with the Udala family at this period of unspeakable loss.
As a family, the management, players and technical crew we mourn his passing and hope to keep his vision for the team alive and make it his legacy.
The football community in Anambra in particular and Nigeria in general have lost one of the most passionate men of the game.
He was member of the Anambra State football Association (ANSFA) Caretaker committee that was set up by NFF to reposition football in the State in 2020.
In February 2021 he sponsored the Udala Pre-season Tournament involving 8 teams from the South East and followed with Udala scouting programme involving another 8 teams.
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