Obafemi Martins wins legal battle over dispute with agent

Jan 30 2010 by Adam Jupp, The Journal

FORMER Newcastle Utd striker Obafemi Martins was “dazzled” into signing a contract that could have cost him a fortune.

That was the ruling of a top judge after the Nigerian forward won a legal battle against an agent who tried to sue him for more than £160,000 in unpaid fees.

Chris Nathaniel’s firm NVA management, whose client list includes Rio Ferdinand, John Terry and Samuel Eto’o, as well as stars of film, music and television, alleged it was due the cash for negotiating Martins an image rights contract.

But Martins, described as a “naive and unsophisticated,” hit back, saying he was “barged into” by Mr Nathaniel, who made an “officious intrusion” into his life, with the promise of celebrity contacts and huge wealth. Now, High Court Judge Richard Seymour has ruled in the ex-Magpie’s favour, saying the £260,000 he had already paid to NVA more than covered the benefit he received.

Judge Seymour said Mr Nathaniel, who is pictured on the company’s website shaking hands with Gordon Brown and Tony Blair, had “entirely fabricated” parts of his “very unimpressive” evidence.

He also ruled NVA’s contract with Mr Martins was “unenforceable”. The judge added: “I am left with the firm impression that that sum amounts to more than generous recompense for whatever of value NVA actually did for Mr Martins”.

Judge Seymour said that, despite Mr Nathaniel’s “superficially attractive” style of speech and presentation in the High Court witness box, he was “very unimpressed” by his evidence.