Embattled factional President of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick could not watch the final of the African Women Championship on Saturday in Windhoek, Namibia, because of the Jos court order restraining him from parading himself as NFF president.
He was billed to travel to Namibia alongside the Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo on Friday night but was prevented by security operatives from travelling.
His international passport was said to have been seized while he has also been directed to report at the Department of State Security on Monday.
Justice Ambrose Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Jos, Plateau State, had on Wednesday, nullified the September 30 election that produced the Amaju Pinnick-led NFF board.
Consequent upon this, the Judge ordered him to stop parading himself as NFF president and to vacate the Glass House.
Justice Allagoa, had on September 19, ordered the stoppage of the NFF General Assembly billed for September 20 and the elective congress billed for September 30, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice before the court.
But, the NFF went ahead with the election on September 30 in Warri, Delta State, which was won by Mr. Pinnick, but now nullified.
Meanwhile, Mr. Pinnick has congratulated the Super Falcons for reclaiming the AWC title which they lost two years ago.
According to a statement issued by Ademola Olajire, Mr. Pinnick stated “I am very happy at the performance of the Super Falcons. They have given this new Board of NFF its first trophy in under one month in office, and I am delighted.
“They played the Lionesses with lion hearts and there was no doubt which was the better team. They made the country proud and I want to assure the team that the NFF will do everything possible to prepare the team adequately for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup finals in Canada.”
According to Olajire, Pinnick was scheduled to travel out of the country on Friday night alongside Sports Minister, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, to watch the final match in Windhoek. He was however, inexplicably, stopped from traveling by some security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
In the event, Dr. Danagogo was joined at the State Box of the Sam Nujoma Stadium by Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Namibia, Ambassador Biodun Olorunfemi.
Pinnick added: “The domination of our women in African football is no longer in doubt. Seven titles out of nine editions aptly tell the story. What we must now work hard towards is making our mark at the global stage. That is going to start with Canada 2015.”
