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NFF Vs BSN Sports: The World Will Know The Truth – BSN counsels

Published

6 years ago

May 23, 2019

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has dragged an online sports
publication, www.bsnsports.com.ng to court over a publication on the
website of the medium on 29th August, 2018, Bestchoicesports.com.ng can report authoritatively.

www.bsnsports.com.ng which enjoys an extensive readership across the globe had run a story on the said date with the caption, ‘U-20 World Cup: Allowance Scandal Hit Falconets.’

In a civil matter, the NFF through suit case number FCT/HC/CV/975/19 instituted by its Head of Women Football, Ruth David dragged the Abuja-based online sports newspaper and its editor to a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Kwali, Abuja over allegations of false
report and defamation.

Meanwhile, BSN Sports as guaranteed by constitution expressed its principle of objectiveness as the writer in trying to balance the story as
the ethics of the job demands, called and quoted the Head of Women Football in the NFF, Miss Ruth David who denied the information and claimed that the Falconets and the officials of the team have been paid and that
no money got missing.

Despite fulfilling what professionalism of the job demanded, she however, not satisfied with the report, Ruth then in 2018 dragged the online newspaper, BSN Sports and its Editor to court over what she claimed to be a defamatory report.

She said the report defamed her character and portrayed her personality in bad light and slammed a suit of Twenty Million Naira (N20m) only on the newspaper.

But, when the case came up Thursday 23rd May, 2019 before Justice
Anna Iyabeni Akobi, seating at FCT High Court in Kwali Area Council, BSN Sports secured the services of Barrister Samuel Ihensenkien, an
activist, constitutional, criminal, and human right lawyer and Barrister Fayaienjigha Israel Jacob as its defence counsels.

The two defence counsels expressed the optimism that the whole world will know the truth about some of the affairs at the Nigeria Football Federation by the time the suit will come to a reasonable conclusion.

Ihensenkien has won many high profile cases in the past such as Federal Government of Nigeria Vs Nnamdi Kanu, Ekere Madu in his case vs DSS in 2015, Ekeson Plaza Vs AMAC and also Ekeson Plaza Vs Abuja Environmental Protection
Board (AEPB) to mention but a few.

Ihensenkien based on his wealth of experience was able to argue BSN’s case logically and the court on the grounds of fair hearing adjourn the case for defendant counsels to file their defence. As Ihensekhien Samuel Junior Esq was recently briefed the judge adjourned the case to 25th June, 2019.

In his reaction after the court process, Sam Junior (the human right lawyer, BSN Sports counsel) said: “We have
done our best today and the matter is adjourned till on the 25th June
and with everything we will put together, we should be able to put up
a defense so that the whole world will know the truth. I am confident
that at the conclusion of this matter, there will be an expose and the
truth will come out as regards some state of affair at the NFF.

“Definitely, all that will be put in our statement of defense. This case is a pointer to some of the things that is going on at the NFF.”

The judge adjourned the case to 25th June 2019 for hearing and asked
the plaintiff to come to court with their two witnesses.

Below is the excerpt of the “defamatory” story

U-20 World Cup: Allowance Scandal Hit Falconets
0 Comments, 29/08/2018,

by Niyi Busari

U-20 World Cup: Allowance scandal hits Falconets
…We have not been paid – athletes, officials
…They have all been paid – NFF staff

Like the dawn of a new day, another scandal of funds mismanagement has rocked the U-20 camp of the Falconets with the controversy over the non payment of camp allowances.

Coaches and athletes in the camp insisted with vehemence that they were not paid their camp allowance but the NFF official attached to the team insisted they all have been paid.

BSNsports investigation across board the number of players and officials sampled had a single voice, “we have not been paid” while the lone ranger is Miss Ruth David, who is insisting “I have paid them all.”

Like a stoking fire, it was an official who snitched that he is yet to earn from his sweat. When cross checked and there was denial, the story was expanded and it was rife that the team was not paid.

An NFF staffer pointed out that, “that is the trend in our female national teams since the Amaju Pinnick regime.

Ordinarily, Miss David is not supposed to handle cash. It is the team secretary that was meant by work schedule to handle cash. Who gave her the responsibility to handle the cash? That is the point to start the investigation.

Every team she had handled had the same problem of non full payment and no one dares complain.”

One of the athletes added that “we have not been paid all our 14-days camping allowances in Austria.

Quoting what they were told in Austria, “an NFF official claimed that the head of women football, Ruth David, lost £10,000. They said the money will be paid after the tournament.”
A coaching staff corroborated the story saying “we really suffered in Austria.

Thank God for the Sports Minister who came and dropped some personal cash for us. We were promised that we will receive the money before we go to France but it never come.

“Even as I talk to you, we are owed the 14-day camping allowances which they have not paid till now. They said the head of women football in NFF lost £10,000 so we can’t collect our money until we reach Nigeria and up till now, we have not heard anything,” said another member of the team.
When our correspondent called Ruth David, she denied the allegation of losing any money and stated clearly that NFF is not owing neither the players nor the coach a dime.

She confidently asked our correspondent to come to the NFF office to see all the documents that were used in paying their entitlements. She concluded that she will not present the documents unless the newspaper’s sources are mentioned.

“Who said so, we are not owing anybody a dime. All their money were paid before we leave (sic) France. You can come to the office to see all the documents for yourself, but not until you tell me the official who told you this, I will not show you the documents. ”

She said and angrily dropped the call.

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Featured

Daughters of Dr. Charles Ononiwu, Chiamanda and Chiamaka, Launch Debut Books to Uplift Hearts Facing Life’s Struggles

Published

3 weeks ago

October 10, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

At just 18 and 20 years old, Chiamanda and Chiamaka Ononiwu — daughters of renowned Nigerian surgeon Dr. Charles Ononiwu — have achieved a remarkable milestone with the release of their debut inspirational books, Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls.

Their literary journey began six years ago, during the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic. While the world was engulfed in fear and uncertainty, the then 13- and 15-year-old sisters turned inward, using writing as an outlet to process their emotions, express their faith, and reach out to others with messages of hope and resilience.

What began as a quiet act of creativity blossomed into two powerful books that now serve as beacons of light for readers navigating life’s storms.

Eighteen-year-old Chiamanda Ononiwu is the author of Do Not Be Afraid. A passionate Electrical Engineering student , she is also a proud alumna of Intellichild TLC and Valedictorian of Great Blessings School, Class of 2022.

In her book, she addresses the emotional challenges many young people face and draws from her personal faith to offer guidance and encouragement.

Her elder sister, Chiamaka Ononiwu, 20, is a final-year medical student at Babcock University in Nigeria. She penned Waterfalls, a heartfelt and deeply spiritual work she describes as divinely inspired. Chiamaka views her writing as a calling — a mission to uplift souls and bring hope to those struggling with life’s challenges.

“Personally, I would say it all started with the idea of inclusion, inspired by real human experiences,” Chiamaka shared. “We’ve had conversations with people who’ve gone through difficult situations — including issues and those stories helped shape what I write today.”

She added, “It’s all about encouraging people to face life with faith. We began this journey during a dark time in the world, and I felt called to create something that could offer comfort and hope — not just locally, but globally.”

The official book launch and signing ceremony took place on Wednesday in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, and was attended by family, friends, colleagues, and well-wishers. It was a celebration of creativity, faith, and youthful brilliance, as the sisters presented their work to an inspired audience.

Speaking at the event, Chiamaka emphasized the core message of her book: “Waterfalls reminds readers that God is always watching over His people. He doesn’t bring fear — He brings peace, hope, and love. I want readers to find comfort and assurance in that truth.”

For Chiamanda, her book is a message to young people who may feel overwhelmed by life’s pressures: “Do Not Be Afraid is especially for youth navigating difficult times. No matter how hard life gets, you can always find strength and direction in God’s word.”

Writing came naturally to both sisters. Chiamaka recalled, “Even as a child, I loved writing short stories for my siblings. When the opportunity came to publish, I knew it was time to share my message with a wider audience.”

Despite their demanding academic paths, both young women balanced their studies with writing through perseverance and faith.

Chiamanda and Chiamaka are united by a shared dream — to inspire people across the world with their writing.

Chiamaka expressed Further; “Our biggest hope is that these books will reach people who need to know that God is real, that He’s always with them, and that through Him, anything is possible,” Chiamaka said.

With Do Not Be Afraid and Waterfalls, the Ononiwu sisters have not only created literary works — they’ve created lifelines. Their voices, grounded in faith and driven by purpose, remind readers everywhere that even in the darkest moments, God’s light never fades.

Their father, Dr. Charles Ononiwu — a distinguished surgeon and deeply devoted parent — also spoke at the event, sharing the journey from his perspective.

“For me, my number one priority has always been to care for children — not just medically, but also by encouraging them academically and in the basics of life,” he said.

He recounted a moving moment with Chiamanda, who approached him with the idea of sharing her story publicly to inspire others.

“She came to me and said she wanted to talk to her peers, to share how she had been comforted, and to help them see that everything would be okay,” he recalled. “As a father, my role was to guide her. I support both of them, help activate their strengths, and provide direction.”

Dr. Ononiwu made the decision to fund the publication of their books himself, believing in the power of their message.

“I told them, ‘You have something the world needs. You can make an impact in the lives of others,’” he said. “I believe every child has a gift. It is our responsibility as parents not to dismiss them, but to help them discover and nurture their talents.”

He encouraged all parents to support their children’s creative pursuits, noting, “Every person has something special inside them — no one is without talent. It’s just a matter of looking inward, discovering that gift, and sharing it with the world.”

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