Sequel to the ruling of Justice Ambrose Allagoa of the Federal High Court sitting in Jos, Plateau State, that the Amaju Pinnick-led Nigeria Football Federation Board should seize to function, Chris Giwa has assumed office as NFF President.
Prompt News recalls that the Judge had on Wednesday nullified the September 30 elective congress held in Warri, Delta State that produced Amaju Pinnick as NFF President.
Justice Allagoa, also ordered him to vacate the Glass House for Chris Giwa, who had earlier been elected on August 26 at a congress held in Abuja.
At a board meeting he presided over on Thursday, the board reversed all the decisions taken by sacked Pinnick-led board.
The meeting held in Jos, also named new committees to assist the board in running the game. A six-point communiqué issued at the end of the meeting reads:
The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) board had its Executive Committee meeting presided by Ambassador Chris Giwa at Mama Mia hotel, GRA, Jos on the 23rd October 2014 after the ruling of the Federal High Court to discuss emerging issues affecting Nigeria’s football.
The board wishes to thank Nigerians who has since the court ruling been calling and identifying with us. Like we had stated earlier, our decision not to have gone ahead to occupy the Glass House since the 19th September ruling that empowered us was to allow for peace. The latest decisions of the court herewith has returned us to office fully from where we draw our greater resolve to save the game;
The NFF board reviewed and feels so strongly to sustain the out-of-contract assignment given to the technical crew of the Super Eagles led by Stephen Keshi at a very critical moment like this. Nigerians want the national team to play well, win and be a pride to them. This calls for greater hardwork from the coaches. They must win the rest two qualifying matches against Congo Republic and South Africa ahead of Nigeria’s qualification for the African Nations Cup finals in 2014 in Morocco. Emphasis is supposed to be on concentration for the two games.
The board nullifies all decisions taken by the Amaju Pinnick team that had usurped the NFF since the 30th September. All committees appointed by the said illegal NFF board are dissolved.
The board by virtue of the short time for the season to end has made interim appointments into the following four committees:
Match Commissioners Appointment Committee:
Mr. Adama Yahaya – Chairman
Chief Patimidi Tukuru – Member
Prof Abu Malam – Member
Prince D. I. Mbaezue – member
Emmanuel Adesanyan – Secretary
Referees Committee:
Suleiman Muazu – Chairman
Sunday Audu – Member
Ahmed Maude – Member
Chidi Offor – Member
Sunday Okhai – Secretary
Disciplinary Committee:
Barrister Iyke Igbokwe – Chairman
Abdulkareem Ibrahim – Member
Andrew Abah – Member
Lawrence Katken – Secretary
Appeals Committee:
Barrister Leye Adepoju – Chairman
Mr. Godwin A. Odekina – Member
Barrister Ray Nnaji – Member
Barrister Okey Obi – Secretary
5. Nigerians have been enjoined to remain calm. The Federal High Court Jos is very clear about the ruling and sustenance of the orders of court. Today, in the eye of the law, no other board apart from ours exists.
6. The board also wishes to thank the Federal Government for the support it has given to the game. We wish the support will continue to be sustained for the good of the children of Nigeria.
YAHAYA ADAMA
BOARD MEMBER, NFF & CHAIRMAN, COMMUNIQUE DRAFTING COMMITTEE
