There are strong indications that the Special Presidential Investigation panel on Public Properties (SPIPP) may declare the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Pinnick Amaju, his two Vice Presidents, Shehu Dikko and Akinwunmi and other board members facing trials may be declared wanted. The Special Presidential Investigation team invaded the headquarters of the Nigeria Football Federation at about 11:00am on Friday to effect the arrest of the five chieftains of the organization with four heavily armed operatives.
The operatives who were also armed with the warrant of arrest could not get any of their targets.
Abuja-based legal practitioner, Barrister Gbenga Adeniran Dada said, “having fulfilled all legal processes, the SPIPP may have no option than to declare the officials of the NFF wanted so that any citizen anywhere can arrest them anywhere.”
Meanwhile, another lawyer, Chukwuma Ekezie said, “the only option available to the panel is to declare them wanted. Being on bail is a privilege they have abused. For the panel to have gone to court to secure a warrant and they cannot be arrested leaves them with no option than to be declared wanted. Thereafter, they can be arraigned in court.”
Meanwhile, the NFF officials Thursday refused to honour the invitation extended to them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). No any form of representation was made to the anti graft agency.
With the massive cabal in the Presidency as well as the office of the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) behind the wanted NFF officials, one of the officials had boasted Thursday evening saying “they (SPIPP and EFCC) are just wasting their time.”
The Chairman, Presidential Investigative Panel, Okoi Obono-Obla had on Wednesday said that the five NFF officials must come to clear their names following alleged fraud, mismanagement and misapplication of funds levelled against them.
