•Minister writes Maigari
•Congress dissolves Federation Board
The tenure of Alhaji Aminu Maigari as President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) came to an abrupt end yesterday following the dissolution of the board by an extra ordinary congress of stakeholders and delegates of Nigerian football.
Simultaneously, an angry Federal Government demanded explanation from the dissolved NFF on the disbursement of N2.591billion allocated to it for football administration in the country.
Maigari was arrested on Friday by operatives of the Directorate of Security Services (DSS) on his return from the World Cup competition in Brazil over allegations of financial mismanagement, but was released afterwards.
The national football team, Super Eagles, were ousted in the round 16 of the ongoing World Cup in Brazil by France last Monday.
The Minister of Sports/ Chairman, National Sports Commission, Mr. Timi Danagogo, in a July 2 letter to Maigari demanded the refund of the $3,600,000 released to the Super Eagles as their allowances for the encounter with France.
The letter, NSC/HMC/GEN/CON/2014, signed by Justice Joffa, reads “I am directed by the Honourable Minister and Chairman, National Sports Commission to request a detailed statement of account of all monies received from the Federal Government, other sponsors/donor companies and FIFA, by the Nigeria Football Federation under the following headings within 48 hours:
• One hundred and fifty thousand naira (N150,000,000) monthly Federal Government subvention from January 2013 to date
• Eight hundred and fifty million naira (N850,000,000) released by the Federal Government for the preparation and participation for the Super Eagles for the first round of matches at the FIFA World Cup, Brazil 2014.
• One million and five hundred thousand dollars (US$1,500,000) FIFA grant the Federation received for the preparation of the Super Eagles for the World Cup.
• Receipts from the various donors/sponsors companies for the prosecution of the 2014 World Cup and management of our leagues.
“You are also expected to provide details of how the total of $14million expected from FIFA for Nigeria advancing to the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup, will be used to develop football in Nigeria.
“You are to note that the $3,600,000 Mr. President graciously advanced for the appearance fees of players is not a donation. You are directed to ensure a refund of the said amount to the Honourable Minister without any further delay.
“You are to further note that all the funds entrusted to you are to be deployed for the development of football in Nigeria and not for any political re-election bid.
“This is for your information and strict compliance.”
A reliable government source said: “The government is unhappy at the allegations of mismanagement of funds by the NFF. This is why the government is demanding accountability.
“The government also is trying to prove to FIFA that the issue with the NFF borders on transparency and accountability. Therefore, it has become imperative for the government to put the problems with the NFF before the public for FIFA to appreciate.
“FIFA has threatened to sanction Nigeria as from Tuesday but the World Football governing body will also not tolerate alleged corrupt practices.
“Nigerians can now appreciate why the players held the nation to ransom by demanding appearance fees before their last match with France.
“The players appeared to have known much about the NFF than the government.”
Responding to a question, the source added: “Security agencies are already looking into the activities of the NFF.”
In dissolving the NFF, the extra-ordinary congress of stakeholders and delegates also lifted the ban on both Taiwo Ogunjobi and Victor Rumson Baribote by the Maigari-led NFF.
A delegation of the stakeholders is scheduled to visit FIFA on Tuesday to table its position before the global football governing body.
FIFA had given Nigeria up till Tuesday to let Maigari be after a Plateau State High Court last week voided his emergence as NFF Chairman.
The congress in a resolution at its Abuja meeting “expressed heartfelt appreciation to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, in his personal capacity, and the Federal Government in general, for total and unflinching support to the Nigeria Football Federation for the development of the game.
It also “Commended the players and officials of the Super Eagles for their impressive performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals in Brazil. Bemoaned the unfortunate incident of the international embarrassment caused the Nigeria nation at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, by failure of the Maigari–led NFF to fully and firmly resolve issues of finance with the Super Eagles ahead of the championship.
“Accused the Maigari administration of short-changing grassroots development by failure to regularly avail State Football Associations of annual grant, and abuse of NFF Statutes in its constitution of NFF Electoral Committee, by altering the list of persons approved by the Congress at the 2013 General Assembly in Warri, Delta State, and inaugurating a different Committee. A new NFF Electoral Committee and NFF Appeals Committee were constituted.
*Unanimously endorsed the dissolution of the Aminu Maigari –led NFF Executive Committee, and immediate termination of the employment of all Management Staff.
“Endorsed the dissolution of the Boards of the Nigeria National League, Nigeria Women League and the Nigeria Nationwide League. The Secretaries are to take over the running of the Leagues and report to the Acting General Secretary of NFF.
“Approved the appointment of Mr. Lawrence Katken as Acting General Secretary of Nigeria Football Federation, pending the appointment of a substantive General Secretary.”
It approved the constitution of an electoral committee to conduct a fresh election into the NFF.
The committee comprises Mr. Jeriak Rowland (South South); Mr. Usman A. Usman (North West); Mr. Emeka Asogwa (South East); Mrs. Margareth Aku (North Central); Mr. Hassan Adamu (North East);
Others are Prof. Ademola Abass (South West); Mr. Chris Essien (South South); and Lawrence Katken (Secretary).
An electoral appeal committee was also put in place.
It is made up of: Mr. Effiong Oboho; Mr. Waribere Sonari; Dr. Isaac Akinloye; Mr. Thomas Awok; Mr. Simon Gyang; and Queen Otarakpo (Secretary).
FIFA warned Nigeria about possible suspension after the Plateau State High Court ordered the sacking of the soccer association and the appointment of a new administrator to run the game.
It gave the Federal Government until Tuesday to restore the leadership of the Nigerian Football Federation failing which the country could be suspended from playing in international competitions.
“FIFA has learnt from various sources that the Nigerian Football Federation has been served with court processes and that consequently an order restraining the President of the NFF, his Executive Committee members and the NFF Congress from running the affairs of Nigerian soccer has been granted by a High Court of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” said a FIFA statement.
It said it had also taken note of the detention of NFF president Aminu Maigari, although he has since been released.
“FIFA has reminded the NFF that all FIFA member associations have to manage their affairs independently and without influence of any third parties.
“The above mentioned actions are preventing the NFF from managing its affairs independently and are considered by FIFA as undue interference in the NFF affairs,” the statement added.
The Plateau State High Court had granted an injunction restraining Maigari and co from running the affairs of soccer in the country.
Source: The Nation
