Posted by BBC Sports on
The agent of Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi has told BBC Sport that he never intended to flout Norwegian currency regulations.
The agent of Nigeria midfielder John Mikel Obi has told BBC Sport that he never intended to flout Norwegian currency regulations.
John Shittu was fined over US$1,500 at Oslo Airport for bringing over US$39,000 - ten times the allowed limit - into the country on Tuesday.
But he told BBC Sport that the media attention over the incident was a "storm in a teacup."
"I am surprised about the media attention over the incident," he said.
"I took the money in order to sort out some matters with my clients.
"With my name being splashed across the Norwegian newspapers, after the dispute between my clients - Mikel, Chinedu [Ogbuke] and Ezekiel [Bala] with Lyn Oslo, I would be stupid to deliberately do something that would put me in trouble with the authorities here," he said.
Shittu, who insisted that the money found on him was earned through legitimate business activities, told BBC Sport he was unaware of the country's currency regulations.
"When I arrived at Oslo, the customs people questioned me and I did not hesitate to tell them the amount that I had.
"When they told me the amount had exceeded the limit of what I could take without declaring it, they told me they would have to inform the police.
"After they came and we talked about the situation, they gave me the option of going to court or paying a fine and I opted to pay the fine," Shittu told BBC Sport.
The agent travelled to Norway to visit his three clients - Obi, Chinedu Ogbuke and Ezekiel Bala - Lyn's Nigerian trio.
Shittu insists Obi, who won the Silver Ball at the World Youth Championship in Holland, does not want to complete a transfer to Manchester United.
Fifa's Dispute Resolution Committee will decide on Obi's future, after they have received written submissions from Lyn, Manchester United and the player - who is represented by London law firm Russells - by Friday.