Sports
Lawyer Drags NFF Back To Court
A Lagos lawyer Jiti Ogunye, has filed a suit against the Nigeria Football Federation, claiming that the NFF are operating in spite of a court order nullifying the elections of August 26.
In his petition at the Federal High Court, Lagos, Ogunye alleged that the executive committee of the NFF were operating without regard to the court order issued by Justice Okon Abang, nullifying the August elections and “are now discharging the functions and duties of the offices, pursuant to the purported mandate they obtained in the said annulled election.”
Joined in the suit are the National Association of Nigerian Footballers, the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General of the Federation and seven others as defendants.
Ogunye claims that the action of the NFF is in violation of the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and is an assault on the integrity of the Federal High Court and the sanctity of its orders which could.
“Subvert the rule of law, negate the orderly administration of justice in the country and impact negatively on the practice of law.”
On September 6, Justice Abang annulled the elections into the Executive Committee of the NFF, ruling that the election had been held in defiance of an order he issued directing that the process be put on hold.
Key officials of the NFF were hauled before the court on contempt charges.
Ogunye argued that although the NFF was aware that it had been forbidden by the court to conduct the election, it still went ahead to do so and “purported to have elected persons into the Executive Committee and congress of the NFF.
“The court did not allow the contemptuous conduct of the NFF to pass. On September 6, in enforcement of its powers, and relying on its inherent powers and Section 287 of the constitution, it annulled the said elections,” he said.
When the case came up for hearing, however, Justice Abang ruled that the NFF had not been ‘properly served’ and dismissed the contempt charges.
And on October 25, the National Association of Nigerian Footballers (NANF) which instituted the action, withdrew the case, prompting the court to strike out the action, albeit without vacating its annulment order.
NFF executive committee member Chris Green, a practising lawyer, argued that as the the matter had been struck out, “it is as if it never existed, and all rulings and decisions arising out of the matter have also ceased to exist.”
That argument is what will now be tested in Ogunye’s suit.
The Nigeria Football Federation has defended the recent quarter-finals draw for the 2025 President Federation Cup, saying it was conducted in line with best global practices.
A member of the NFF Executive Committee Board, George Aluo, stated that criticism over venues for the quarterfinals was unfortunate.
Going by the fixtures released on Saturday by the football body, Abakaliki FC will take on Nasarawa United in Benin, Wikki Tourists will clash with Ikorodu City in Bwari, Abuja, Akwa United and Kwara United will fight it out in Enugu, just as Area 3, Abuja, will host the encounter between Rangers International and Plateau United. All matches are scheduled for May 3rd for the emergence of semifinalists in a leg affair.
However, there have been criticisms over the Ikorodu United vs Wikki Tourist tie billed for Abuja, with a section of the press saying the venue is skewed in favour of the Bauchi team.
Aluo, also the Chairman of the Nigeria National League (NNL), said: “Some of our media men need better education, and newsmen should not be like the fans out there on the streets. In the English FA Cup, it is always a one-legged pairing that can see a club like Arsenal host Manchester United at home”.
A new contract that will see Act Sports Di Oyibo Limited managing the career of Nigerian teqball specialist, Victor Oyemade, has been signed in Lagos.
The deal gives exclusive rights to Act Sports to manage, and exercise power of attorney over issues relating to the player’s welfare as it concerns his transactions, engagement for professional, promotional, sponsorships, endorsements, and exhibition purposes.
In signing the document, both parties also agreed that proper safeguards would be put in place to protect and promote the player’s interest at all times.
Director of Act Sports, Di Oyibo Limited, Pastor Samuel Robinson Oyibo, excited about the deal, said it would benefit both parties in the area of spreading the message of the sport, as well as laying a firm foundation for his new client’s future.
“Teqball is one of the world’s fastest-growing ball sports, and Victor Oyemade is the face of the sport here in Nigeria and Africa. That is why we are excited about this partnership that gives Act Sports official authorisation to manage his career, just as it will lay the foundation for its rapid growth in our country,” Pastor Oyibo said.
Oyemade was no less excited about the deal, saying it would help his growth in the sport.
Coaches of Nigeria’s U-18 and U-20 women’s handball teams have released their final lists of 14 players ahead of the IHF Women’s Trophy Zonal Phase, which will be held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, that commenced yesterday to end 24th of this month.
The two teams have been training at the Rowe Park Sports Centre, Yaba, Lagos, for close to two weeks and departed for the competition on Thursday.
Coach John Uzor of the national U-18 team has included Omole Joy of Defender Babes and her sister Omole Shola alongside Ojie Princess of Funad Academy alongside right back Faisat Balogun in the mix while Success Duru, Chetachi Ngaodurubie of COAS Babes and Sharon Okonkwo make the cut, amongst other players.
In the U-20 team, Coach Shittu Agboola has largely stuck with the players he has been grooming since their U-18 days. The team is led by Captain Chidera Ogbusimba alongside, her Rima Queens teammates the Samuel Sisters, Amina Mohammed and Joy Peters.
Israel-based Rahima Bello, Kehinde Babatunde of ASPAC HBC of Benin Republic and Esther Mathew, who is also based in Benin Republic, keep their places.
Coach Shittu believes his team will make Nigeria proud just as they did previously at the U-18 level.
“I am really upset that Taiwo Babatunde will not be part of the team for this competition as her school, Yaba College of Technology, insisted that they will not release her for national service because of examinations.
“We did everything humanly possible to secure her release and they didn’t care that it is a national service for the interest of Nigeria and the growth of sports. We have other players who are also students and they got a release from their schools but for no tangible reason, Yabatech refused to release Taiwo despite the fact that we did everything possible to secure her release. It’s sad and I hope the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Sports Commission will work in tandem so that schools will support our goal in making Nigeria proud in sporting events”.