‘It’s fake news’ – Presidency says Buhari didn’t order Pinnick’s prosecution

The Presidency has debunked reports making the rounds in some quarters that President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the arrest and prosecution of Mr. Amaju Pinnick.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) chairman has been under strong criticism of late over allegations of fraud with respect to NFF’s spendings at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Reports at the weekend had it that a travel ban has been placed on Pinnick, and that his prosecution has been ordered by Buhari.

But in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, warned those dropping the name of President Buhari in the allegation to desist.

The statement read: “A press release in circulation in the last 24 hours, to the effect that President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the arrest and prosecution of Amaju Pinnick, the NFF Chairman, is fake news because anyone familiar with the President’s unmitigated and unshakable commitment to the due processes of the law will not make such assumptions of the President.

“The position of the President that allegations of criminal nature should be addressed only by investigation and law enforcement agencies, within the framework of the law has not changed.

“It is not in the nature of President Buhari to say go and arrest that man or woman as formed the practice in the past.

“Rather, he allows all allegations of this nature to be addressed using the mechanism of the rule of law even as law enforcement and investigation agencies should not in any way be hampered in performing their duties.

“At the same time, nobody should drop names to seek to influence the course of those investigations.”

Read Also: Pinnick denies travel ban, prosecution reports; says NFF cash flow open to all

Meanwhile, Pinnick had already stated that he is not under any arrest or travel ban via a personal Twitter thread following the breaking of the news on Saturday.

The 1st vice president of CAF and FIFA committee member added that the finances of the Glass House is open for all to see, as they are published on several local news platforms in December.

Although Pinnick did not make mention of any ongoing investigation, Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung has insisted that the truth will soon be revealed for all to know.

“A woman who denied pregnancy will not deny the time of putting to bed. That NFF is been investigated is stalled news, because I have also been invited to make statement, so it’s absurd trying to twist facts to mislead unsuspecting audiences. @MBuhari, @PinnickAmaju,” Dalung tweeted in response.

 

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