High Court Sacks Pinnick-led NFF Board

A Jos High Court has ruled that the current board of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, headed by Amaju Pinnick was not duly elected and as should vacate office.

The presiding judge, Justice Musa Haruna Kurya delivered the ruling on Friday, April 8, over the re-listed suit challenging the election process of Septemter 30, 2014 in Warri that brought the board to power.

In re-listing the case for hearing on 30th May 2016, the court also restored the order that the election and Congress of 30thSeptember 2014 be nullified.

Christopher Giwa who had been declared new President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) through a controversial congress in Abuja had gone to the court to seek redress when his victory was annulled.

Another election was later held in Warri, Delta State which brought on board, the Amaju Pinnick -led executive board.

In 2015, Justice Ambrose Allagoa, who presided over the hearing, had ruled that the election as well as the congress preceding it were against his orders and ordered the plaintiff Christopher Giwa to return to office.

However, former President, Goodluck Jonathan called the two parties to a peace meeting when FIFA threatened to ban Nigeria and Giwa’s group was made to withdraw the suit but has now decided to return to court.

Meanwhile, in a swift move, the Pinnick-led board has filed an appeal, a motion to vacate the order and a motion for a stay-of-execution against the judgement.

NFF spokesman, Ademola Olajire said since an appeal, a motion to vacate the order and a stay-of-execution, has been filed on the same day as the judgement, the status quo remains.

“This is a sad one primarily because we have enjoyed a period of peace and have been able to work without the court-today-court-tomorrow situation of the last half of 2014.