NFF Lifts Ban on Baribote, Three Others

August 12, 2014 – The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) today lifted ban on four members of the association. They include Chief Rumson Baribote, Bar. Olaleye Adepoju, Mr. Jarrett Tenebe and Mr. Olajide Fashikun.

The decision to lift the ban was contained in a communique issued at the end of the executive meeting of the NFF in Abuja.
“After exhaustive deliberations, the Committee unanimously decided to lift bans of various lengths placed on the following members of Nigeria football family: Chief Rumson Baribote, Barr. Olaleye Adepoju, Mr. Jarrett Tenebe and Mr. Olajide Fashikun”, the communique said.

But the ban on former Member of NFF Executive Committee, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi was not lifted. The NFF was of the view that the ban will be lifted once communication is received from the Court of Arbitration for Sport that he has withdrawn his case.
“Other banned persons will have their cases reviewed as soon as they appear before the Committee”, the NFF said in the communique.

The NFF also resolved that the lifting of ban placed on Chief Rumson Baribote is as far as football –related activities are concerned, does not restore him to his former position of Chairmanship of NPL.

The NFF also noted that Barr. Olaleye Adepoju will, with immediate effect, retake the Chairmanship of Oyo State Football Association and his seat on the Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation.

“Also, Mr. Chidi Ofor Okenwa retakes his seat as Chairman of Enugu State Football Association.

In attendance at the meeting were Chief Mike Umeh (Acting President); Hon. Shehu Adamu (Acting 1st Vice President); High Chief Emeka Inyama (Member); Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedinma (Member); Chief Effiong Johnson (Member); Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande (Member); Mr. Ayodeji Tinubu (Member); Barr. Musa Amadu (Secretary).

See full text of communique below.

COMMUNIQUE OF MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF NIGERIA FOOTBALL FEDERATION WHICH HELD AT THE NFF SECRETARIAT, ABUJA ON TUESDAY, 12TH AUGUST, 2014

The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation held a meeting at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Tuesday, 12th August, 2014 to discuss salient matters concerning Nigeria football and resolved as follows:

1) Executive Committee observed one –minute silence in memory of a former Chairman of the NFF Appeals Committee, Brigadier-General Bala Sanda Usara, who passed on in a hospital in India on Tuesday, 12th August, 2014, and Alh. Abdullahi, senior brother of a former NFF President Sani Lulu Abdullahi, who died on Monday, 11th August, 2014.

2) After exhaustive deliberations, the Committee unanimously decided to lift bans of various lengths placed on the following members of Nigeria football family: Chief Rumson Baribote, Barr. Olaleye Adepoju, Mr. Jarrett Tenebe and Mr. Olajide Fashikun. The ban on former Member of NFF Executive Committee, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi will be lifted once communication is received from the Court of Arbitration for Sport that he has withdrawn his case. Other banned persons will have their cases reviewed as soon as they appear before the Committee.

3) Following from the above, Barr. Olaleye Adepoju will, with immediate effect, retake the Chairmanship of Oyo State Football Association and his seat on the Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation. Also, Mr. Chidi Ofor Okenwa retakes his seat as Chairman of Enugu State Football Association.

4) However, the lifting of ban placed on Chief Rumson Baribote is as far as football –related activities are concerned, and does not restore him to his former position of Chairmanship of NPL.

5) After thorough investigation, a Member of the Executive Committee, Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande was found not culpable and was therefore cleared of allegation of anti-Board activities. The Committee re-affirmed suspension from the Executive Committee and bans of six months and one year from all football –related activities placed on former Members of the Committee, Barr. Chris Green and Alh. Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ respectively, pending the ratification of the General Assembly.

6) Committee affirmed that Chairman of the NFF Appeals Committee, Barr. Eddy Ibrahim Mark, will appear before its Ethics and Fair-play Committee, which has Barr. Ikechukwu Obidike as Chairman. Members are Hon. Shehu Adamu, Chief Effiong Johnson, Mr. Ayodeji Tinubu and Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande.

7) Having finalized the fresh contract with Mr. Stephen Keshi, for him to continue as Head Coach of Super Eagles, and having forwarded same to Mr. Keshi, the Executive Committee expects the new contract to be signed by the NFF and Mr. Keshi in a matter of days.

IN ATTENDANCE: Chief Mike Umeh (Acting President); Hon. Shehu Adamu (Acting 1st Vice President); High Chief Emeka Inyama (Member); Mrs Dilichukwu Onyedinma (Member); Chief Effiong Johnson (Member); Hon. Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande (Member); Mr. Ayodeji Tinubu (Member); Barr. Musa Amadu (Secretary)