Nigeria: Igbinidu Drags NFA to Court

Daily Independent (Lagos)

28 June 2011

An Abuja based business-man, Chief Osamuyi Igbinidu, has dragged the interim Chairman of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), Jarret Tenebe and his board members to court, challenging their legality in the current struggle for the soul of Nigerian football.

Igbinidu, who on 16th June threatened to sue Tenebe and board members if Maigari was not left alone is now before an Abuja Federal High Court in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/585/11. The matter is to be heard in court seven.

He is challenging the constitution of the interim board of the NFA in view of the provisions of the NFA Act 1992 whether the interim board has been properly, legally and duly constituted; whether they can apply or receive subvention from the government of Nigeria on behalf of football;

Whether they can be recognized in matters of football administration in Nigeria given the way and manner they had come up to life without going through the provisions of the NFA Act 1992.

As a consequence, Igbinidu asked the court to restrain the NFA interim board from being recognized by the National Sports Commission, and from collecting or spending subventions meant for football, from exercising the powers of administering football in Nigeria and from occupying the Glass House. No date has been fixed for the hearing.

Tenebe, however, said “I am aware of the suit. We were served yesterday. Our lawyers have been briefed this morning. It is not surprising. If the NFF people had gone to court against the Inspector General of Police in their personal capacities and know that they cannot sue as NFF because of their illegal status, suing us through a proxy is equally okay. We shall respond to them accordingly.”

He added, “candidly speaking, going by way of court is very good and very okay by us. That will help define the very issues of law and legality we had raised against the NFF. Whatever the direction the court rules will be okay by us. Remember, we had said earlier that only a court of law can make us leave the path of reform we have set out to achieve. See you in court.”

It would be recalled that on Thursday 16th June, 2011 in Abuja, Igbinidu, has called on the “dissident NFA members” to leave the Maigari NFF board alone or face legal suit.

He said, “I worked for Jarret Tenebe at the last two attempts to enter the board, he introduced me to Maigari. Maigari is a good man.”

Asked why he is against the NFA, he said, “the truth is, they can’t come from nowhere to hijack football management. They should wait for the next election.”

He said, “I have watched events with care. I have not spoken to the two gladiators. I believe Maigari and his team do not deserve these distractions.”

I will be briefing my lawyers by tomorrow (Wednesday) to go and challenge the illegality being perpetrated by the NFA. Please tell them to leave Maigari alone.

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