EFCC summons 10 NFF officials over funds diversion

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has summoned 10
officials of the Nigeria Football Federation in connection with the
diversion of funds and embezzlement of billions of naira by the NFF
leadership.

Those invited are Ibrahim Gusau, Sharif Inuwa, Babagana Kalli,
Felix Agwu and Suleiman Kwande. Others are Musa Duhu, Ms. Aisha
Falode, Mohammed Alkali, Chidi Okenwa and Otunba Sunday Ajayi.

It was gathered that the officials were required to make certain
clarifications in the alleged graft involving the NFF president
Amaju Pinnick, the general secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi; the first
vice president, Seyi Akinwumi; the second vice president, Shehu
Dikko and a member of the Executive Committee, Ahmed Yusuf.

The acting EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, confirmed that the
officials were at the commission headquarters for the interview on
Wednesday.

The EFCC had in a letter dated January 21, 2019, asked the NFF
officials to report to its headquarters in Jabi, Abuja, on January
30 (Wednesday).

The summons signed by EFCC’s Director of Operations, Mohammed
Abba, and addressed to the NFF president, read in part, “This
commission is investigating cases of abuse of office, diversion of
public funds,official corruption and stealing, and the need to
obtain certain clarifications from the above-mentioned persons has
become imperative.

“In view of the foregoing, you are kindly requested to inform
and release them to report for an interview with the undersigned
through their team leader. This request is made pursuant to Section
38(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(Establishment) Act, 2004.”

The investigation of the NFF board followed a petition by a
former national team coach, James Peters, on May 4, 2018, alleging
what he described as “monumental stealing in NFF”.

Peters in the petition to the EFCC alleged that the NFF board
members deposited money outside the official accounts of the
federation in the Central Bank and diverted same for fraudulent
activities.

He also stated that a private company Mediterranean Sports
Limited owned by Dikko was used to collect over 40 per cent of
revenue from the numerous sponsors of the football body.

The petitioner, who served as Technical Director with the NFF
for many years, also urged the EFCC to investigate the activities
of Financial Derivatives Ltd, which he said was being used to
“warehouse money outside the official accounts of the NFF in the
Central Bank and diverting same for fraudulent activities.”