NFF Elections suspended

The upcoming NFF Elections in Benin City, have been suspended, per an order from the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The elections were scheduled to take place on September 30, but on Thursday, September 15, Honourable Justice Inyang Ekwo, postponed them in a statement that was signed by Harrison Jalla.

The judge presided over a case with the case number FHC/ABJ/CS/1376/2022 involving: (1) Harrison Jalla (2) Chief Rumson Victor Baribote (3) Austin Popo (4) The Registered trustees of the National Association of Nigeria Footballers (NANF) (Trading under the name and style of Professional Footballers Association of Nigeria) (PFAN) VERSUS (1) Nigeria Football Association (NFA) (Trading under the name and style of the Nigeria Football Federation) (NFF) (2) Amaju Pinnick (3) Hon. Minister of Sports and Youth Development.

In keeping with due process, the plaintiff approached the court in 2021 and demanded an amendment to the NFF Statutes of 2010, calling for equal voting rights and representation for all five statutory bodies that make up the Federation on the NFF Board, its Congress, and Sub/Standing Committees.

Prior to the hearing in June 2022, the court postponed future proceedings in this case until October 31st, 2022. Despite an interlocutory application being considered by the Court, the defendants still scheduled the election for September 30, 2022, during this interim period and in their customary characteristic disregard of the law.

As a result, the court granted the ex parte application submitted on Thursday, by the plaintiff’s representatives, Fayeneniga Jacob, Chief Rumson Victor Baribote, and Dr Celsius Ukpong.

Justice Ekwo postponed the NFF September 30 Election, and asked the parties to maintain the status quo, while further proceedings were postponed until October 31.