A Federal High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State has nullified the September 30 elective congress held in Warri, Delta State that produced Amaju Pinnick as the President of Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.
The presiding Justice Ambrose Allagoa, said the election was held in contravention of the order of the court, saying there was need to protect the integrity of the Court, adding that “Court orders are not tea party”.
He also sustained all the other Orders of 19th September. Prompt News recalls that the Judge had on September 19, restrained the NFF from going ahead with the election into the NFF executive committee.
However, Justice Allagoa left out the issue of contempt against the immediate past NFF President Aminu Maigari and Secretary General, Musa Amadu, but warned that the orders of the court must not be further disobeyed.
“I have set aside all the proceedings and decisions of the Warri Extra Ordinary meeting of the 20th September and the Elective Congress of 30th September which were direct contravention of the orders of this court as granted on the 19th September.”
“Nobody should foist on the court a complete case of hopelessness so that the principles of law and justice can be upheld. Its not enough to say that the order of court was wrongly made, no matter how unorthodox, its subsisting orders, unless set aside, remains law and must be respected.”
“Defendants in this matter have not filed any counter affidavits in this court to contest the facts. There is no motion nor Memorandum of Appearance. This is a court of Record. On this note, the court has no option to protect the integrity and sanctity of court. Court orders are not tea party. Nobody is above the law. Impunity must be stopped.
“I have left out the issue of contempt. That does not mean that the Orders of this court should be further disobeyed.
“Parties are however warned,” the Judge ruled.
Counsel to the defendants, Dashe said, his clients would appeal the ruling, saying “We shall consult with our clients but certainly we shall go to the Court of Appeal as we are not satisfied with the decisions of the court in this matter.”
On his part, Counsel to the Plaintiffs, Habila Arzard, expressed delight at the ruling, saying his clients could now resume since the defendants would have to vacate the order of the High. Court first.
He said, “From this minute, my clients can and should resume in office immediately. If the other parties must go on Appeal, they have to first of all vacate the office while they go on Appeal.”
Meanwhile, hearing of the substantive matters have been adjourned till the 25th November 2014.
