The former president of Nigeria Football Federation, Sani Lulu Abdullahi, has declared that he is no longer interested in returning as NFF president even though he desirous of getting justice over his unlawful impeachment and protracted five-year-long court battle.
Abdulllahi, who was impeached in 2010 is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside Amanze Uchegbulam, Bolaji Ojo-Oba and Taiwo Ogunjobi for offences bordering on conspiracy and breach of due process which is in contravention of the public procurement act over purchase of two buses.
The former NFF top officials were accused by the EFCC to have breached due process in the purchase of two Marcopolo buses in a 10-count charge when they were first arraigned in October 2010.
Lulu stated this while responding to questions at his home town, Idah after the finals of the 2015 FOSLA U-13 Cup about his future as regards to contesting for his former post as president of Nigeria’s top football governing body if there be fresh elections.
The proprietor of FOSLA Academy expressed fulfillment in his success during his days in office and boasted his leadership record remains unsurpassed by his successors as there was all-round success and no complaints from any quarters.
“I must at this point appreciate everyone who has been standing by me in the face of my predicament since the injustice I suffered in 2010. I believe in justice and those who for their desperate interests to sabotage our efforts and truncated our passionate visions will meet their doom and know no peace,” Abdullahi told Goal.
“However at this point, I wish to state categorically that I’m not interested in returning as NFF president. I have had the chance and never left anything at the Glass House. Though I was aggrieved with how I was illegally impeached by those who we trusted to have shared in the visions of developing the game.
“Football is a game I love with passion and my achievements when I was the NFF president before I was forcefully impeached are still very visible and there for everyone to see. Nobody can disclaim the fact that we did revive the game from its dead state,” he said.
“It pains me most that many Nigerians are blindfolded from realizing the positive and passionate contributions we made towards the growth of the game of football in the country due to some people’s personal interests.
“No hard feelings as I have since then moved on, but will continue to pray for justice to prevail. Justice delayed is not justice denied. No matter how long, I will wait for justice as I’m not guilty of any corruption charges.
“Nobody is asking questions where the N2.8 billion I left in office was, but the unfounded charges about the two buses were duly bought for the Federation and still in use till date after five years,” he concluded.
The former FCT Director of Sports while serving his tenure as NFF President from 2006-2010, the Federation witnessed a tremendous development of grassroots football in the country, starting from the U-13 in 2007, from which the likes of Chidera Ezeh, Kelechi Iheanacho and host of other members graduated into the 2013 World Cup U-17 winning Golden Eaglets after U-15 and now promoted to U-20 Flying Eagles.
It’s also on record that during his period in office, Super Eagles soared high to an enviable 9th position in the FIFA rankings but dropped to 32nd spot by the time he was impeached.
Lulu’s case will be revisited by the Federal High Court, Abuja on January 20.
