Court Suspends NFF September 30th Election
An Abuja-sitting high court has ordered the suspension of the forthcoming Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) September 30th Elective congress.
Presiding over the matter with number FHC/ABJ/CS/1376/2022 between Harrison Jalla, Chief Rumson Victor Baribote, Austin Popo and the registered trustees of the National Association of Nigeria Footballers (NANF) (Trading under the name and style of Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria) (PFAN) vs the Nigeria Football Association (NFA), trading under the name and style of the Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, Hon. Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Justice Inyang Ekwo ordered that the Election be suspended in view of the prayers of the plaintiff.
The plaintiff had approached the court in mid 2021 after due process demanding an amendment to the NFF statutes 2010 for equal representation for all the five statutory bodies making up the NFF in terms of voting rights and representation on the NFF Board, its Congress and Sub/Standing Committees.
The Court had earlier in June 2022 adjourned the matter to October 31st 2021 but the defendants went on to schedule an election for 30th September 2022 inspite of an interlocutory application pending before the Court.
Consequently and ruling in an exparte application moved this morning by (1) Dr Celsius Ukpong (2) Chief Rumson Victor Baribote and Fayeneniga Jacob all representing the Plaintiff, Hon. Justice Inyang ordered the NFF September 30th Election be put on hold and that parties should maintain the status quo and adjourned further proceedings to 31st October 2022.
Recall that the NFF General Assembly had in its last meeting in Lagos scheduled the election of the football governing body for September 30th in Benin, Edo State.
