EFCC Investigates NFF, Again

Nigeria’s anti-corruption agency, the EFCC is conducting a new investigation into the country’s Football Federation (NFF), it has revealed.
The latest investigation comes on the back of a separate case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and an ongoing one by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP).
The latest wide-ranging investigation is looking into fraud allegations over how sponsorship money meant for the development of football in the country has allegedly gone missing.
“What I can confirm is that officials of the Nigeria Football Federation are being investigated by the agency,” EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren told newsmen.
The investigation into the NFF will look at allegations of wrongdoing before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The inquiry is focusing on money generated from the NFF’s official sponsors, domestic league’s television sponsorship and payments from a former kit supplier for all the national teams.
It also focuses on funds provided by federal and state governments for friendly matches involving the Super Eagles and the alleged misappropriation of about US$2.7 million from the Financial Assistance Programme of football’s world governing body, Fifa.
The EFCC did not elaborate on who they were investigating, but confirmed top officials of the federation are part of the latest probe.
The NFF president Pinnick told newsmen that he was aware of the latest EFCC investigation and was seeking further clarification before making a comment..
In May, the NFF president Amaju Pinnick said that he and four other top officials were being “victimised” and denied any wrongdoing over the alleged misappropriation of funds case brought by the SPIP for the recovery of public property.