Sports
NFF Finds Baribote Guilty Of Misconducts
A committee set up by the
Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has said Victor Baribote, one of the association’s former vice-chairmen, was guilty of disobedience.
Baribote, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL) and ex-NFA Second Vice-Chairman, had accused the association’s leadership of misconduct.
He had sent a petition on this to world football governing body FIFA, with the Zurich-based body asking the NFA to investigate the allegation instead.
The NFA then set up a committee headed by Emeka Inyama, one of its board members and Chairman of its Media and Publicity Committee.
Inyama, while presenting the committee’s report to the NFA leadership, said Baribote had contravened various articles in the football statutes which preached fair play.
“In Baribote’s letter to FIFA, he claimed that he was still the chairman of the NPL.
“We saw from evidence available that, sometime in December 2012, he was impeached by the Congress of Premier League Club Owners in Abuja and those evidences were tendered.
“How come six months after, he was writing as if he was still the Chairman of the NPL, whereas the same Baribote submitted himself to the authority of the League Management Company (LMC).
“He took the LMC to court, but he participated in their meetings, one of which was a representation to Nigerian football.
“Baribote was seated there and we found it embarrassing and confusing.
“He went to court against LMC and NFA, and against the course which he was promoting, collected N10. 5 million from the LMC, being a share of revenue from league sponsorship.
“Yet he was in court with the same people, we did not understand that,’’ Inyama claimed.
He also said one Mrs Baribote was the true representative of Nembe City FC of Bayelsa, contrary to the make-belief of Victor Baribote that he was in charge.
“The authorities of Nembe City FC, as we know by the books, is one Mrs Baribote, and legally Mrs Baribote representing Nembe City is not the same thing as Rumson Victor Baribote.
“So, we found this contradicting.
“We found out that the letter he sent to FIFA was in bad faith and taste and we referred to articles 2, 4, 7, 10, 12 and 34.
“These are relevant articles of the NFA that authorised its chairman to set up this committee to look into this matter,’’ Inyama said
The committee chairman said the recommendations of the committee were however being kept secret until the NFA board had seen it and approved it.
He said every other relevant stakeholders linked to the matter appeared before the committee, including Aminu Maigari, the NFA chairman, while Baribote failed to appear.
“Baribote’s refusal to appear before the committee amounted to disobedience of constituted football authorities in the country and will deserve any punishment his action attracts,’’ Inyama said.
Maigari, while receiving the report, commended the committee, saying it was set up based on merit.
“The laws of football will take its course in the administration of football in the country, as no member of the football family has the right to digress.
“We all know that we operate football by guidelines. There are laid-down procedures that govern the game of football, which not one member of the family has the right to digress from.
“So, that is why we set up this committee to study this matter and advise the NFA board on the way forward.
“I assure that the board will sit down and thoroughly study the proposals and advice. We will leave no stone unturned at ensuring that every advice given will be utilised,’’ he said.
NAN reports that Felix Anyansi-Agwu, Ahmad Kawu, who are NFA board members, and Richard Jideaka who is a sports journalist were the other members of the committee.
The decision comes after Benin failed to secure approval for any of their home stadiums from the Confederation of African Football.
As a result, the federation opted to play its “home” fixture at the Stade de Kégué in Lomé.
The first leg of the second-round qualifier will be held in Togo on October 24, whilst the return leg will take place four days later in Nigeria on October 28.
The aggregate winner over the two legs will advance to the 2026 WAFC
Ferdinand soared to victory on Saturday, lifting an impressive 153kg to clinch gold in the women’s up to 79kg category and further cement Nigeria’s legacy in the sport.
Her remarkable feat added to Nigeria’s growing medal haul at the historic championship after Nworgu had earlier won silver in the 50kg category, whilst Ajiboye claimed bronze in the same class.
Nworgu narrowly missed gold to Venezuela’s Clara Fuentes, who edged her out for the top spot in a fiercely contested competition.
The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, congratulated the athletes on their outstanding performances, commending their relentless drive and patriotic spirit.
“Our athletes continue to make us proud, showing the world that Nigeria is a force to be reckoned with in para powerlifting. Their bright start in Cairo reflects the depth of talent, discipline, and dedication that define Nigerian sports,” Olopade said.
“The NSC remains steadfast in providing the necessary support to ensure our champions keep soaring.”
The 11th World Para Powerlifting Championships, taking place from October 9 to 18, 2025, marks the first-ever edition to be hosted on African soil, a milestone event highlighting the continent’s growing influence in adaptive sports.
The National Sports Commission had expressed confidence in the team’s readiness and determination to uphold Nigeria’s longstanding reputation as a force to be reckoned with in global para powerlifting.
The hosting of the championships in Cairo represents a significant moment for African para sports, providing an opportunity to showcase the continent’s growing infrastructure and commitment to disability sports.
Nigeria has established itself as one of the leading nations in para powerlifting, consistently winning medals at major international competitions, including the Paralympic Games and World Championships.
The 10-day competition has attracted top para powerlifters from across the globe, all vying for world titles in their respective weight categories.
The National Sports Commission reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Team Nigeria throughout the competition as the athletes aim for more podium finishes and continue to make the nation proud.
Nigeria’s strong start in Cairo has raised expectations that more medals will follow as the championship progresses, with several other Nigerian lifters yet to compete in their respective weight categories.
The NEC said the only intention of the suspended members of the association is to create confusion, wondering why they leverage the use of thugs to create confusion while colluding with illegal security operatives.
In a firm resolution reached by the NEC and endorsed by the National Secretariat, SWAN reaffirmed that Ms. Olatutu Oladunni and Mr. Bello Omotunde, former Chairperson and Secretary of the Lagos Chapter respectively, remain indefinitely suspended from all activities and structures of the association.
The association has consequently petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), drawing attention to what it described as a dangerous pattern of intimidation, impersonation, and misuse of security operatives by the suspended duo to disrupt peace within the Lagos sporting and journalistic community.
In the petition signed by SWAN National President, Mr. Isaiah Benjamin, and Secretary-General, Amb. Ikenna Okonkwo, the association said the suspended officials are attempting to stage an unauthorised election in Lagos on Thursday, October 9, 2025, despite prior notification of their suspension to both the Lagos State Police Command and the DSS Directorate.
SWAN recalled that during the Lagos SWAN Congress held on September 17, 2025, Ms. Oladunni mobilised more than eleven (11) police vehicles and armed operatives to a peaceful gathering of sports journalists — describing the act as “a brazen show of force, abuse of privilege, and a deliberate attempt to intimidate members.
“The so-called Lagos election is not only illegal but also an affront to the authority of the National Executive Council,” the NEC resolution stated. “The individuals behind this plot have no mandate or legitimacy to act in the name of SWAN. Their continued defiance constitutes gross misconduct and will attract further disciplinary measures.”
The association warned that any security officer or agency that lends support to the illegitimate exercise would be aiding an unlawful activity and undermining the association’s recognised constitutional order.
SWAN therefore, urged the IGP and DG DSS to restrain the suspended officials, maintain neutrality, and prevent any misuse of security institutions in matters internal to professional associations.
Reaffirming its authority, the NEC through the National Secretariat, reserves the power to supervise or approve elections in state chapters, stressing that any activity outside that structure “is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever.”
“The NEC of SWAN stands firm in defending the unity, credibility, and sanctity of the association,” the statement added. “We will not permit any act of indiscipline, impersonation, or external interference that threatens our stability and professional integrity.”
The association further assured all members nationwide of its commitment to due process, accountability, and the protection of journalists’ rights, urging them to disregard the actions of the suspended individuals and remain guided by the decisions of the National Executive Council.