Meanwhile in what seems like a "poorly
written script" a certain Mrs Ebiakpo
Rumson Baribote wife of former NFF board
member (Rumson Baribote) who as now
been banned from all football activities by
the Maigari led board.
Baribote through her l, T D Quidon Esq, filed
a Suit No PLD/J 342/2014, asking the court
to grant an Order of Interim Injunction
restraining the 2nd Defendant, (Alhaji Aminu
Miagari) and all the committees 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.
The Jos based court in granting the Order
on Wednesday July 2, 2014 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.
the court also mandated the Minister of
Sports who also joined in the Suit to
“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 in this matter”.
The Sports Minister responded swiftly by
appointing Lawrence Longyir Katken as
Acting Secretary General of the NFF.
Katken as However gone on to dissolve
some committees of the federation and he
also appointed an "adviser and heads of
departments"
One wonders why an "Acting Secretary
General of the NFF would take such actions
pending the determination of the Suit
before the Jos based court.
Justice Lot had fixed July 11, 2014 for
hearing on the Motion on Notice. so why not
wait ?
Another niggling question is the convening
of the "NFF Congress"
On the 5th of July Notice of an NFF
Emergency Congress was circulated. This
meeting was convened by Chairman of
Chairmen of Nigeria football, Chief Effiong
Johnson,
Question here is didn't the Injunction
restrain all NFF members from such
activities? and isn't this clearly a violation of
said injunction?
As it states that 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".
All the Chairmen and Secretaries of the
Football Associations of the 36 States of the
Federation and the Federal Capital Territory,
Abuja were expected at the meeting.
But we know for a fact that Not all attended
or sent delegates.
The lagos FA for instance issued a statement
distancing itself from the said NFF
'Emergency Congress"
So how Valid is this Congress?.
While Not holding Brief for Maigari it is clear
that the actors of this "theatre of the
absurd" are so desperate to Kick him out
that they have thrown caution to the winds
just to achieve their goals.
Not caring that FIFA has very clear rules
surrounding third-party interference in
national football federations.
FIFA Emergency Committee decided to
suspend the NFF from all international
competition on Wednesday July the 9th.
According to a statement released on FIFA's
website, this suspension would not be lifted
until "the court actions have been
withdrawn," which could lead to the Nigeria
Under-20 women's team missing out on the
FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in August:
The FIFA Emergency Committee has decided
today, 9 July 2014, to suspend the Nigeria
Football Federation (NFF) with immediate
effect, on account of government
interference. Article 13, par. 1 and article 17,
par. 1 of the FIFA Statutes oblige member
associations to manage their affairs
independently and with no influence from
third parties.
The suspension will be lifted once the court
actions have been withdrawn and the
properly elected NFF Executive Committee,
the NFF general assembly and the NFF
administration are able to work without any
interference in their affairs. As a result of
this decision, no team from Nigeria of any
sort (including clubs) can have any
international sporting contact.
A few hours before this statement was
released by FIFA Ademola Olajire Spokesman
of the NFF had issued a statement
debunking news of Nigeria Suspension by
FIFA.
But now that the nation has been plunged
into this disgraceful situation one can only
but pray that the main "dramatis personae"
would think of a befitting end to this
unnecessary distraction.
It would be unfair for the Falconets to miss
out on their chance to represent their
fatherland after putting in some much to get
to this stage.
We must not forget also that the AFCON
qualifiers are due to start in a few months
time and it would not be nice for us to miss
a chance to defend our Trophy.
It happened under the then military regime
when we pulled out of the Nations Cup and
we hope that history would not repeat itself.