Federal High Court sacks Pinnick as NFF president, upholds Giwa’s election

Pinnick

A Federal High Court sitting in Jos on Friday granted the prayers of Yahaya Adama and Senator Obinna Ogba, to relist the case which among other things had sought to nullify the Warri General Assembly and the subsequent elective congress that turned in Amaju Pinnick as President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Justice Musa Haruna Kurya, while delivering his ruling on the matter went ahead to also sustain all the previous orders of the court, effectively making Ambassador Chris Giwa the Head of the federation until the final determination of the suit.
By the orders of the court today, the Minister of Sports is compelled to recognize Mr. Giwa-led Board of the NFF as the recognized board by the law.
The order also barred individuals from interfering with the duties and functions of the NFF board under the leadership of Chris Giwa.
The court effectively by Friday ruling has set aside all the proceedings and decisions of the Warri Extra Ordinary meeting of the 20th September, 2014 and the Elective Congress of 30th September, 2014 which elected Amaju Pinnick as President of the NFF.
Speaking shortly after the ruling of the court, Barrister Damon Dashe told DAILY POST, that his clients will certainly appeal the decisions of the court.
On his part, counsel to Yahaya Adama and Senator Obinna Ogba, Barrister Habila Azard said his clients have been vindicated and that, “they can now settle down and resume all their functions because that is all we have been fighting for”.
The Case has now been adjourned till the 30th of May for hearing of the substantive matter.

Pinnick appeals court order, Giwa says he is ready to take over

The two principal characters in Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) presidency drama, Amaju Pinnick and Chris Giwa, have reacted to the court ruling, which ordered Pinnick to step down from the position.Efforts by Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, to broker peace between the warring factions, have so far failed to yield positive results.
But at Friday’s verdict announcement, presiding judge Justice Musa Haruna Kurya upheld the previous judgment of Justice Ambrose Allagoa.
Giwa who lost the election to Pinnick in 2014, says he is ready to take over immediately and is reported to have stormed the Glass House.
“We are taking over immediately and will announce a new head of media soon,” he said.
“The court gave them an order not to go on with the Warri Congress, they disobeyed. Are they bigger than the law? How can they rule?”
Meanwhile, embattled president, Pinnick, has confirmed he will appeal the verdict and questioned the involvement of civil courts in football issues.
He said: “This is not good for Nigerian Football, we will file for stay of execution.
“It is disappointing we are still taking football matters to civil courts. We will definitely appeal this case.”





DAILYPOST