Nigeria risks FIFA ban as Jos Court annuls Nigeria Football Federation elections

Nigeria's defence of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) next January became hazy yesterday following a ruling by a Federal High Court sitting in Jos that invalidated the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) election of September 30, 2014 in Warri that brought in Amaju Pinnick as president of the NFF.

Although the NFF immediately appealed the ruling, it remains to be seen what FIFA that had earlier threatened to clamp down on Nigeria if anything derails the outcome of the elections in Warri, makes of the situation.

Pinnick succeeded Aminu Maigari who got consumed in the high-wire politics of Nigerian football.

Two members of the Chris Giwa group had gone to court to seek redress, asking the court to stop the NFF congress from holding.

However, Justice Ambrose Allagoa of the Federal High Court yesterday in Jos declared in his ruling that “I have set aside all the proceedings and decisions of the Warri Extra Ordinary meeting of the 20th September and the Elective Congress of 30th September which were direct contravention of the orders of this court as granted on the 19th September.

“Nobody should foist on the court a complete case of hopelessness so that the principles of law and justice can be upheld. It's not enough to say that the order of the court was wrongly made, no matter how unorthodox, its subsisting orders, unless set aside, remains the law and must be respected.

“Defendants in this matter have not filed any counter affidavits in this court to contest the facts. There is no motion nor Memorandum of Appearance. This is a court of record. On this note, the court has no option to protect the integrity and sanctity of the court. Court orders are not tea party. Nobody is above the law. Impunity must be stopped.

The judge did not treat the contempt issue but added that all “parties (in the suit) are however warned” for  disobeying his court.

In a swift reaction, the Executive Committee of NFF has filed for appeal against the ruling which annulled the Elective Congress of 30th September, 2014.

NFF's 1st Vice-president, Seyi Akinwunmi said: “We have been notified of the ruling of the court, which was made in spite of our filing for a Preliminary Objection concerning the jurisdiction of the court.

“However, our lawyers have gone to work immediately the order was made. We are appealing the ruling and also filing for Stay of Execution of the order,” he stated.

The substantive matter in the case was adjourned by Justice Allagoa till November 25.

With this development, there are fears that the world football governing body, FIFA, could be forced to clamp down on the NFF and impose immediate sanctions that will include being barred from international football activities.

If FIFA bans Nigeria it would mean automatic disqualification of the Super Eagles from defending the AFCON 2013 the country won in South Africa last year. No decision is likely going to be taken on the matter until the next FIFA Congress slated for May next year.