A Jos High court headed by Justice P.L Lot has granted an Order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Aminu Maigari, his Executive Committee members and the NFF Congress, from running the affairs of Nigerian football pending the determination of the Motion on Notice before the court.
And following the declaration and in order not to leave a lacuna in the administration of Football in the country the Minister and chairman National Sports Commission Tammy Danagogo, has directed a senior staff in the federation, Lawrence Katiken to take charge of affairs in the NFF until further notice.
Danagogo in a letter to Katken stated “Further to Suit No. PLD/J 342/2014 and an order of mandatory injunction, issuing from Hon. Justice P.L Lot,….you (Lawrence Katiken) are hereby directed to act as Secretary General of the NFF, and to take over the full management of the NFF. You are to hold this position pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in the referenced suit”.
The suit was filed by Ebiakpo Rumson Baribote, wife of former Nigeria Premier League boss Runsom Baribote, through her council S.D Ekara, in Suit No PLD/J 342/2014 filed at the Plateau State High court.
She had asked the Court for an Order of Interim Injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant, (Aminu Miagari) and all the Committee and congress of the 1st Defendant (the Nigeria Football Federation) from further controlling, commanding or managing the Affairs of the 1st Defendant and all Football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed in this case.
In his declaration, Justice P.L Lot, stated “That Interim Injunction is granted restraining the 2nd Defendant, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, and all other purported members of the Executive Committee and Congress of the 1st Defendant (NFF) from further Controlling, Commanding or Managing the Affairs of the 1st defendant and all Football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing, and determination of the Motion on Notice.
“An Order of mandatory injunction is granted compelling the 4th Defendant (Minister of Sports) to appoint a senior members of the civil service in the 1st Defendant (NFF) to command , control and manage the Affairs of the said 1st Defendant and the Football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice i this matter”. Details of the relief sought by the plaintiff was sketchy at press time.
Hearing on the motion has been fixed for July 11, 2014. Meanwhile a source in the federation confirmed that the NFF have been served the restraining order, even as key members of the federation are still on their way from Brazil 2014 World Cup where the Super Eagles crashed out in the round of sixteen.
Source: Daily Independent
