A Plateau High Court sitting in Jos on Wednesday July 2, 2014 granted an Order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the president of the Nigeria Football Federation,Alhaji Aminu Maigari, the Executive Committee members as well as the NFF Congress from running affairs of Nigerian football forthwith pending the determination of the Motion on Notice before the court.
There were fears yesterday that FIFA could sanction Nigeria following the court injunction which sacked the Alhaji Aminu Maigari-led board of the NFF and the subsequent appointment of an acting Secretary General by the Sports Minister.
This development could be interpreted as government’s interference in the administration of the football in the country.
In granting the Order, Justice P.L. Lot said, “that interim injunction is granted restraining the 2nd Defendant, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, and all other purported members of the Executive Committee and Congress of the 1st Defendant (NFF) from further controlling, commanding or managing the affairs of the 1st defendant and all football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing, and determination of the motion on notice.
“An order of mandatory injunction is granted compelling the 4th defendant (Minister of Sports) to appoint a senior members of the civil service in the 1st Defendant (NFF) to command , control and manage the affairs of the said 1st defendant and the football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice in this matter”.
Following the order which compelled the Minister of Sports and Chairman, National Sports Commission, NSC, Dr. Tammy Danagogo to appoint a senior member of the civil service in the NFF to “command, control and manage the affairs of the NFF and football matters in Nigeria”, he has accordingly Lawrence Longyir Katken as Acting Secretary General of the NFF.
In a letter personally signed by the minister to Katken, he said, “Further to Suit No. PLD/J 342/2014 and an order of mandatory injunction, issuing from Hon. Justice PL Lot,….you (Lawrence Katken) are hereby directed to act as Secretary General of the NFF, and to take over the full management of the NFF.
“You are to hold this position pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in the referenced suit”.
The Owner of Nember FC, Mrs Ebiakpo Rumson Baribote (Plaintiff) had through her counsel, S D Ekara, holding brief of T D Quidon Esq, filed a Suit No PLD/J 342/2014, asking the court to grant an Order of Interim Injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant, (Alhaji Aminu Miagari) and all the committees and congress of the 1st defendant (the Nigeria Football Federation) from further controlling, commanding or managing the Affairs of the 1st defendant and all football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction filed in this case.
Justice Lot therefore fixed July 11, 2014 for hearing on the Motion on Notice.
