Former president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Kojo Williams has urged Amaju Pinnick and other top officials charged for alleged corruption to make themselves available at the Federal High Court in Abuja Tuesday.
The Special Presidential Investigation Panel for recovery of public property (SPIP) has dragged Pinnick, vice presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, NFF executive Ahmed Yusuf ‘Fresh’ as well as general secretary Mohammed Sanusi on a 17-count charge for alleged corruption.
Kojo Williams said Pinnick and the other officials are not above the law of Nigeria and as such they should appear in court to clear their names.
“The most honourable thing for them to do now is to appear before the court and clear their name,” said Williams, who headed Nigeria football in 1999.
“They have been charged and since no one is above the law of Nigeria, they should be in court.”
Williams further said he is not only shocked but saddened that there are now valid reasons to sue top NFF officials for alleged corruption.
“I am very shocked, appalled and saddened by the corruption charges and allegations surrounding the NFF,” he said.
“We have never had it this bad so much so that the anti-corruption agencies now have valid reasons to take the NFF leadership to court.
“Where is this rubbish coming from?
“In our time, we raised money and even used our personal monies to run the game.”
The office of the outgoing Attorney General of the Federation and Justice Minister Abubakar Malami has asked SPIP to hand over the case file, but Williams has kicked against this move, saying there should be no cover-ups particularly because President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has been waging a committed war against corruption.
“If the Nigerian government is truly fighting corruption they cannot afford for some people to cover up for the NFF officials. Otherwise, this fight against corruption is a big lie,” he maintained.
“Also, both FIFA and CAF have to take responsibility as it concerns what is happening in Nigeria.
“They too cannot cover up for anybody because no one is bigger than the law of Nigeria.”
