Norwegian authorities have sentenced Nigeria U-20 captain Daniel Daga to six months in prison after he was found guilty of sexual activity without consent. The ruling was handed down by the Nordmøre and Romsdal District Court on Tuesday, March 10, following allegations concerning an incident in April 2025.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the 19-year-old midfielder was ordered to pay legal costs of NOK 10,000 (approximately ₦1.45 million). Under Norwegian legal procedure, the verdict is not final, and Daga’s legal team has confirmed plans to appeal the conviction.
Daga’s lawyer, Astrid Bolstad, maintained that the young footballer asserts his innocence. “He is terribly sorry that the verdict was the way it was. He believes he is innocent and that everything happened with consent,” Bolstad said. The appeal process could take several months, keeping the case active within Norway’s judicial system until a final decision is reached.
Following the ruling, Daga’s club, Molde FK, suspended him indefinitely from all matchday activities. In a statement, the Norwegian side explained that the suspension reflects the seriousness of the situation and the ongoing legal process.
Daga, who joined Molde at the start of the 2025 season, quickly became a key figure for the club, making 15 appearances and scoring three goals. Before moving to Europe, he represented Nigeria at both the 2023 and 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cups, establishing himself as a rising talent in Nigerian football.
The conviction now casts uncertainty over the midfielder’s career while he awaits the outcome of the appeal, with football communities in both Nigeria and Norway closely following developments.
