Confusion in NFF as Chris Giwa takes over, Amaju Pinnick protests

Days after the Super Eagles crashed out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, a fresh crisis has hit the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) as Chris Giwa unseats Amaju Pinnick as president.

This is a fresh episode of the tussle that began back in 2014 which almost cost Nigeria its membership among footballing nations under FIFA.

Giwa, who had been demanding his right to the chairmanship position, arrived at the Secretariat of the football house on Monday with some security agents to assume office.

His action followed a directive from the Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, asking the Pinnick-led board to comply with the judgement of the Supreme Court, which restored the orders of the Federal High Court, setting aside the purported election into the Executive Committee of the NFF held on September 30, 2014.

Dalung said in a statement that the directive is being followed by a written notification signed for the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Justice Abubakar Malami, requesting the Sports Ministry to ensure compliance.

“It is trite law that court orders are sacrosanct and any acts of disobedience to it constitutes threat to the rule of law.

“This is a court order and not from Dalung. I will not want to go to Kuje prison because of disobedience of court orders. Therefore, I hereby comply with the court orders of June 5th 2018, while Mr Amaju Pinnick and others are also directed to comply with same,” the statement concluded.

Read Also: PINNICK vs GIWA: FIFA reiterates recognition of Pinnick as head of NFF

But a statement signed by Festus Keyamo, the Head of Festus Keyamo Chambers – solicitors to Mr. Pinnick and his board, said the minister’s directive is “null and void”.

“The attention of our clients have been drawn to a statement purportedly issued at the behest of the Minister of Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung directing the NFF to comply with certain court orders effecting a change of leadership in the NFF.

“Our clients wish to alert the general public and the authorities in Nigeria that the so-called directive by the Minister of Sports is null, void and of no effect.”

He continued: “The NFF is an affiliate of FIFA. It should be noted that FIFA has consistently maintained that this same matter has been taken to the highest Court of Sports Arbitration in Switzerland by these same individuals and they have lost.

“FIFA is only bound by the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sports and does not entertain or tolerate decisions by local courts in footballing nations worldwide.”

And in conclusion, he wrote: “The final point to make is that our clients wish to draw the attention of everyone to the fact that the NFF is not an independent association.

“It is an affiliate of FIFA. By virtue of Article 59, Paragraphs 2 and 3 of FIFA Statutes, FIFA does not tolerate such actions taken by Giwa and his so-called Board to destroy Nigerian football.

“Therefore, by virtue of the responsible position Nigeria holds in the Comity of Nations, it would be advisable that the President directs everyone to toe the line of FIFA and respect the final decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sports on this matter, instead of giving vent to the ambition of ONE MAN (Chris Giwa) who wants to bring down the entire edifice of football on all our heads to achieve his selfish ambition.”

It is yet to be known what steps will be taken by the world football governing body in bringing this tussle to a final rest.

But as it stands, the Chris Giwa board, which is currently under a ban by FIFA, are in charge of the football house in Abuja.

 

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