The Nigerian Professional Football League has been suspended Indefinitely until the League Management Company fully complies with the earlier order reinstating Giwa FC to the league.
The Eagle Online reports that Justice I. I. Kunda in his ruling delivered at the Plateau State High Court, which sat in Bukuru, near Jos on Wednesday, decried the delay tactics being employed by the counsel to the LMC, Olumide Olujimi, to delay the case, knowing fully well that the Nigerian league is time bound and the league would have effectively ended before the case is determined.
The judge declared the case adjourned sine dine, but also told the defendants that they can proceed with their appeal at the Court of Appeal if they so wish.
The Eagle Online recalls that sequel to the expulsion of Giwa Football Club of Jos, a State High Court sitting in Bukuru, Jos, Plateau State had granted the prayers of the Club seeking its reinstatement to the Nigerian Professional Football League.
Counsel to Giwa FC, SD Ekara, had tabled five prayers before the Court, which included: “That the NFF and LMC be restrained from further organizing any matches pending the hearing of the motion on notice.
“Interlocutory injunction compelling the LMC to reschedule all matches Giwa FC did not play as a result of the purported expulsion.
“Injunction recalling all Giwa FC players summarily released and signed by other clubs, Restoration of Giwa FC to the league pending the hearing of the motion on notice and such other pronouncements as the court may deem fit.”
In a judgement delivered by Kunda, who is a vacation judge, on August 12, 2016, the League Management Company and the Nigerian Football Federation were restrained from restraining Giwa Football Club from playing matches in the Nigeria Professional Football League pending the determination of the motion on notice.
The Judge also ordered the first and second respondents to reschedule all the matches that Giwa FC failed to play as a result of its purported expulsion from the league.
The LMC was also ordered to immediately return all the players of Giwa FC that were summarily released and signed by other clubs.
We Have Not Been Served – LMC
Meanwhile, the League Management Company (LMC) said it has not been served any court Judgment suspending the professional league.
A statement by LMC however assured all stakeholders that it would take necessary step to appeal once served.
The statement reads: “The League Management Company (LMC) has been inundated with sundry calls and enquirers regarding a piece of news being circulated that Plateau State High Court, Jos has made an order stopping Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) until the reinstatement of Giwa FC to the League.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, LMC states categorically, that it has not been served with any such order and is consequently unable to comment on this matter.
“If such an order is at any time in the future produced or served on it by due process of law, LMC wishes all our Clubs, footballers, fans, partners and all Nigerians to be reassured that it shall take all steps appropriate in the circumstances to protect the integrity of the NPLF.
“Accordingly, the LMC states that the operation of. NPFL proceeds apace as scheduled and unhindered in any manner whatsoever.”
