Emmanuel Ukudolo
Abuja, April 13, 2016 – The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) today referred Ambassador Chris Giwa, Yahaya Adama, Muazu Suleyman, Sani Fema and Effiong Johnson before its disciplinary committee to defend themselves for bringing Nigeria football and Nigeria to ridicule, opprobrium and disrepute, and for acting in clear contravention of the NFF statutes and other extant football laws.
The decision of the NFF is contained in a communiqué issued after a meeting of an extraordinary general assembly of the NFF in Abuja, during which the general assembly passed a vote of confidence on the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF executive for leading the NFF in the right direction.
In the communiqué signed by Sir E.C. Chukwuemeka, the NFF accused the above individuals of committing infractions such as illegally contracting a law firm in South Africa in the name of the NFF and refusing to pay for the services up to a point where judgment was given against the NFF by the South African Court and seriously violating the statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA, CAF, WAFU and NFF.
The above individuals were so referred for fair hearing even after a motion to suspend them from the NFF.
Chris Giwa earlier this week obtained judgment in Jos sacking the Pinnic-led executive after FIFA Court of Arbitration had dispensed with the case but the Pinnick-led NFF obtained a stay of execution order and later got the backing of FIFA.
The NFF also took decision to discipline some individual for taking sides and referred them to the NFF Committee on Ethics and Fairplay. They are Rumson Baribote, Shehu Adamu, Ben Agary and Jide Fashikun. They were so referred for aiding and abetting gross misconduct, thus collectively contravening provisions of NFF, WAFU, CAF and FIFA Statutes.
“The General Assembly noted the motion for suspension pursuant to Article 37 (1) but in the spirit of Article 37(3) of the NFF Statutes and in the interest of fair hearing the following persons were referred to the NFF Disciplinary Board: Chris Giwa, Yahaya Adama, Muazu Suleyman, Sani Fema and Effiong Johnson to appear and defend themselves.
“For aiding and abetting the above gross misconduct, thus collectively contravening provisions of NFF, WAFU, CAF and FIFA Statutes, the General Assembly referred the following persons to the NFF Committee on Ethics and Fairplay: Rumson Baribote, ShehuAdamu, Ben Agary andJideFashikun to appear and defend themselves”, the NFF said in the communique.
However, following a passionate appeal by the Executive Committee, the clause adopted at the 71st NFF General Assembly held in Abuja on 16th December 2015, aimed at ensuring and guaranteeing professionalism in the administration of football but misinterpreted as barring non-members of the Congress from contesting for positions on the NFF Executive Committee was suspended pending ratification at the next NFF General Assembly.
“For the avoidance of doubt the congress further affirmed that all eligible and qualified persons under the NFF statutes are eligible to contest elections”, the communiqué noted.
The General Assembly comprising all the 44 members firmly affirmed that the Nigeria Football Federation is one indivisible and unified body governed by the NFF statutes (2010 edition).
“The General Assembly expressed explicit confidence in the Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation under the leadership of Amaju Melvin Piinnick and unanimously re-affirmed the election of the following persons as was done at NFF Elective Congress in Warri, Delta State on 30th September 2014: Amaju Melvin Pinnick (President): SeyiAkinwunmi (1st Vice President); Ibrahim Musa Gusau (Chairman of Chairmen); Christopher Green (Member); Sunday Dele-Ajayi (Member); Felix AnyansiAgwu (Member); Sharif RabiuInuwa (Member); Yusuf Ahmmed Fresh (Member); Suleiman YahayaKwande (Member); BabaganaKalli (Member); HussainiModibbo (Member, of blessed memory). General Assembly observed a one – minute silence for AlhajiHussainiModibbo, who passed on in March, 2016.
“For its credible efforts and innovations at making the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) much better, commercially viable and spectator –friendly with particular mention of the return of Elite Professional Football to Maiduguri, Borno State, the General Assembly solidly commended the League Management Company under the leadership of the NFF 2nd Vice President, Mr. Shehu Dikko”, the communiqué stated.
