By Mark Baber
July 25 – The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) president, Aminu Maigari (pictured) has been sacked following allegations of “financial misappropriation, misapplication and maladministration” by the NFF Executive Committee.
Maigari was reportedly impeached by eight votes in the 13-man Executive Committee – although one of the voters complained that their signature had been forged. The announcement of the impeachment was made in the following communique issued by the Chairman of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, Muazu Suleyman:
The Executive Committee of Nigeria Football Federation met at the NFF Secretariat, Abuja on Thursday, 24th July, 2014 to review situation after the vacation of Court Injunction as well as the resultant lifting of suspension by FIFA, and resolved as follows:
1) The Committee expressed deep and very sincere appreciation to President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR as a person, and the Federal Government as a body, for massive and continued support to the Nigeria Football Federation and the National Teams.
2) After thorough and exhaustive deliberations on the uncalled-for secrecy surrounding all financial dealings of the Federation and failure to call meeting of the Executive Committee for the past eight months, during which so many weighty decisions on Nigeria football had been taken by a small cabal within the Board, the Executive Committee passed a vote of no confidence on the NFF President, Alhaji Aminu Maigari.
3) In view of the above, the Committee approved the immediate dismissal of Alhaji Aminu Maigari, from the NFF Executive Committee on grounds of financial misappropriation, misapplication and maladministration.
4) The Committee resolved to mandate the 1st Vice President, Chief Mike Okeke Umeh as Acting President, to preside over the affairs of the Federation, pending the composition of the new NFF Executive Committee after the elections of Tuesday, 26th August, 2014.
5) The Executive Committee commended world football –governing body, FIFA and the Confederation of African Football for its keen interest in the development of Nigeria football and pledged that the country will continue to abide by the dictates of FIFA and CAF Statutes and the FIFA –approved NFF Statutes.
6) Executive Committee thanked Nigerians from far and near for their patience and understanding during the crisis period and reiterated that concerted efforts are geared towards the development of football in Nigeria.
Following the meeting, Adamu Muazu, who represents the North-West on the executive board, said: “Full details of the allegations against the former President will be made soon.” Pending the elections on 26th of August, the First Vice President, Mike Umeh will act as the President of the NFF.
In attendance at the Executive Committee meeting were Aminu Maigari; Mike Umeh (Vice President); Emeka Inyama (Member); Dilichukwu Onyedinma (Member); Ahmad Kawu (Member); Effiong Johnson (Member); Christopher Green (Member); Shehu Adamu (Member); Muazu Suleyman (Member); Ayodeji Tinubu (Member); Yusuf Ahmed (Member); Felix Anyansi-Agwu (Member); Suleiman Yahaya-Kwande (Member) and Secretary, Musa Amadu.
The eight members who signed the impeachment document include First Vice President of the NFF, Mike Umeh, Effiong Johnson, Mua’zu Suleiman, Shehu Adamu, Deji Tinubu, Dilichukwu Onyedima, Felix Anyansi-Agwu and Ahmed Kawu (who told reporters that his signature was forged when he stormed out of the meeting).
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