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Alleged Misuse Of FIFA grant: Court Declines To Join Pinnick, Sanusi

Published

5 years ago

February 20, 2020

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) today declined to allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) amend a criminal charge before the court to join the President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick and Secretary-General, Dr Mohammed Sanusi for alleged misappropriation of FIFA grant.

The anti-corruption commission had on October 18, 2018 arraigned three officials of the Federation before Justice Peter Affen, sitting at Maitama, Abuja, for allegedly misappropriating $9.5 million, being a grant from the world football-governing body.

The commission arraigned NFF Director of Administration and Finance, Christopher Andekin; Cashier, Reagan Zaka and Head, Finance and Account Department, Fadanari Mamza, on a five-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and misappropriation.

The EFCC alleged that they conspired between January 8 and 26, 2015 to commit the offence, contrary to Section 97 of Penal Code.

Andekin was alleged to have been entrusted with a grant from world football body, the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA) meant for the development of football in Nigeria.

He was alleged to have fraudulently diverted $1.3 million from the NFF domiciliary account with Zenith Bank, an act that is contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code.

Zaka, on his part, was said to have fraudulently diverted $7.2 million from the FIFA grant, while Mamza was alleged of diverting $2. 3 million.

They all, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

However, on March 1, 2019, EFCC, through its counsel, Sir Steve Odiase, applied to amend the charge against the three with a view to joining both Pinnick and Sanusi to face charges alongside the three officials on the alleged misappropriation of the FIFA grant.

The defendants, however, objected to the application for joinder, claiming that it was a abuse of court process as the parties being sought to join were facing similar charge before both Abuja Magistrate’s Court and the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court

The disbanded Okoi Obono Obla-led Presidential Panel on Assets Recovery had filed charges against Pinnick and Sanusi before the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, bordering on alleged infraction on the FIFA grant.

Ruling on the EFCC’s application today, Justice Affen held that an amendment can be sought and granted by the court at any time before judgment in line with provision of Section 216 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

According to him, the court has the discretion to allow such amendment provided there is no injustice to the accused, adding that when granted, the accused would be called upon to take his plea.

Justice Affen stated that it was an afterthought by the prosecution to seek to join both Pinnick and Sanusi in the case having earlier listed them as witnesses.

Culled from Tribune

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NSF: Oparaoji, Ekpeyong, Quadri Gear Up for Tough Quarterfinal Clashes in Abeokuta

Published

2 weeks ago

May 23, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The tennis courts at the ongoing National Sports Festival in Abeokuta are buzzing with intensity as the competition hits the quarterfinal stage in both the men’s and women’s singles events, following a gripping round of 16.

Men’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Abubakar Yusuf of FCT will square off against Rivers State’s Abua Canice. Yusuf booked his spot with a 4-0, 4-2 win over Ehigiamusoe Endurance of Edo, while Canice cruised past Azi David 4-1, 4-0.

Bayelsa’s Uche Oparaoji faces Adeleye Daniel of Ekiti in a clash of skill and strategy. Oparaoji outclassed Urenyang Nuhu of Taraba 4-1, 4-2, just as Adeleye powered past Kaduna’s Ibrahim Sulaiman with the same scoreline.

In one of the most anticipated ties, Danjuma Lucky (FCT) will lock horns with Bayelsa’s top seed David Ekpeyong. Danjuma came through a thrilling contest against Ekiti’s Abamu Matthew, rallying to win 1-4, 4-2, 10-5, while Ekpeyong dominated Taraba’s Rubi Toba 4-0, 4-2.

Home favourite Christopher Bulus of Ogun will battle Edo’s Michael Chima for a semifinal ticket. Bulus swept past Rivers’ Timibra Godsgift 4-1, 4-0, while Chima triumphed over Delta’s Iloputa Ikechukwu in a straight-set win.

Women’s Singles Quarterfinals:

Delta’s Barakat Quadri, fresh off a 4-1, 4-0 win over Rebecca Ekpeyong of Bayelsa, will face rising star Emmanuel Bright of the IJA (Invited Junior Athletes), who overcame Rivers’ Maxwell Timipre 4-2, 5-3.

Edo’s Omotayo Blessing will battle Akwa Ibom’s Udoffa Mary in what promises to be a fiery encounter. Omotayo brushed aside Ekiti’s Adeusi Jesutoyosi 4-0, 4-1, while Udoffa outplayed Moses Favour of Kaduna 5-3, 4-0.

Elsewhere, Ogunjobi Success of Ekiti will test her mettle against Aina Goodnews of IJA, and Akwa Ibom’s Etoro Bassey faces Ogun’s Yakubu Ohunene in a South-South vs South-West showdown.

With the quarterfinals locked in, tennis fans are in for a thrilling ride as the battle for medals intensifies under the Abeokuta sun.

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