The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja today ordered the arrest of NFF president Amaju Pinnick and four other officials to face charges of corruption brought against them by the Nigerian government.
Pinnick as well as NFF vice presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko as well executive committee member Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ and general secretary Mohammed Sanusi failed to appear in court today as ordered by Justice Ifeoma Ojukwu last month.
“The court has done the appropriate thing by granting a bench warrant against them, which means the police will now arrest them and bring them to court by all means available,” prosecution counsel Celsus Ukpong explained.
“They are not part of the government delegation to Egypt and refused to come to court because they felt they are too big.
“They will appear for arraignment on September 26.”
Muhammad Katu represented the accused NFF officials.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has charged Pinnick and the other officials on a 17-count charge ranging from embezzlement of $8.4 million being the money the Super Eagles earned for reaching the Round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup to failure to declare their assets when asked to.
Pinnick and the other accused officials have evaded judicial summons, according to prosecution counsel.
Former NFF presidents Ibrahim Galadima and Kojo Williams as well as several other notable stakeholders in Nigeria football have urged the officials to appear in court to clear their name.
