The warrant of arrest issued previously to the Special Presidential Investigative Panel headed by Chief Okoi Obono-Obla against the president of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick and four others has been put in abeyance by an Abuja Chief Magistrate District Court 11 sitting at Wuse Zone 2.
The four others are the federation's two vice presidents, Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, a board member, Ahmed Yusuf and Dr Sanusi Mohammed, who is the board's General-Secretary.
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The NFF had challenged the warrant for its officials' arrest, saying it was obtained wrongly as it was ultra vires the enabling law establishing the SPIP.
Its counsel, Muhammed Sani Katu, who argued the application marked MN/04/2019, challenged the jurisdiction of the court, among others.
Having looked into the matter, the court held that there was no basis for a warrant of arrest to be issued against NFF officials under the law.
Reacting to the decision, Katu said: “Notwithstanding this positive and deserved outcome expected by our clients, we hold onto their firm instructions to pursue with utmost diligence and determination suit number FC/ABJ/CS/17/2019 pending separately at the Federal High Court, Abuja, which our clients have instituted against Chief Obono-Obla and SPIP for violating our clients' rights under the law and, acting contrary to the enabling law setting up SPIP.
“For the avoidance of any doubt, our clients reiterate most categorically that there are no charges against them existing anywhere, as they have not committed any crime under the law, whatsoever.”
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He on behalf of the NFF thanked the federation's sponsors, partners and other stakeholders for their steadfast loyalty and support, adding that they should be rest assured that NFF remains committed to the transparent management of its affairs at all times, in keeping with best global standards.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 years ago
