Professional football player and fellow Nigerian Solomon Obinna Okereke warned the public about fake accounts allegedly exploiting the death of Atenean student-athlete Divine Adili.
Although he never personally met Adili, Solomon said he felt compelled to pay his respects after learning of the incident, which he described as both shocking and heartbreaking.
On Thursday, June 25, Solomon also shared an update on the case, saying that Adili’s remains had safely arrived in Lagos, Nigeria.
He added that the student’s remains “will be transported to the eastern part of Nigeria for burial.”
Solomon likewise cautioned the public against individuals allegedly soliciting donations using Adili’s name through fake social media accounts.
“Please be informed that the GoFundMe account under the name ‘Adili Ifeoma Joy’ circulating online is fake. We have also stopped receiving donations through Prince Eze’s account,” he said in a Facebook post.
Prince Eze is a Nigerian professional basketball player and former National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCCA) MVP (Most Valuable Player), has been assisting Adili’s family in the wake of the tragedy.
Eze has been among those helping coordinate support for the family following the death of the Atenean student-athlete.
“Kindly share this video so others can be informed and avoid falling victim to fake accounts and scams,” Solomon said in his post.
Meanwhile, Solomon said Adili’s story resonated with him, noting that he understands the sacrifices foreign athletes make in pursuing opportunities abroad while supporting their families back home.
Adili suited up for Ateneo in UAAP Season 88 and helped the university get off to a strong start with his contributions as a six-foot center on the men’s basketball team.
Despite dealing with a lingering back injury, reports said he averaged 8.4 points and 8.3 rebounds per game.
Adili during a team-building activity organized by then-Ateneo Blue Eagles head coach Tab Baldwin on June 8 in Dipaculao, Aurora.
Authorities said he drowned during water exercises after strong currents swept him into the open sea.
Another teammate, Rene Baterbonia, also died in the incident. Baterbonia, who was expected to make his UAAP Season 89 debut, previously led the Davao Region to a historic gold medal in secondary boys’ basketball at the 2025 Palarong Pambansa.
