Keyamo warns of FIFA ban as Pinnick-Giwa case is adjourned

Festus Keyamo, head of Festus Keyamo Chambers – solicitors to Mr. Amaju Pinnick and his board, has warned again of the risk the nation stands to face amidst the crisis unsettling the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

A Jos Federal High Court failed to deliver judgement on the case between Pinnick and his challenger to the presidency of the football house, Chris Giwa, on Tuesday.

A Supreme Court ruling a fortnight ago had given Giwa the mandate, who has since presumably assumed office; but the four year-old case was expected to be resolved on Tuesday, but was adjourned to 25 September.

Keyamo advised the court not to take such a long date as FIFA is waiting for the outcome of the suit to take a decision on Nigeria.

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

He proceeded further to say that an imminent ban looms for Nigerian football if the right steps are not taken by the parties involved.

According to its laws, 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.

Thus Giwa, who lost the case with Pinnick at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, is not recognised by FIFA as he is also serving a ban.

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, following the high court’s adjournment of the case on Tuesday, will remain in charge of the football house in Abuja.
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