Nigeria Faces Another FIFA Ban

If information reaching us is to be believed, then Nigeria may soon be banned by the World football governing body, FIFA, and also the Confederation of African Football, CAF.

According to a report on NigerianBulletin.com, FIFA is likely to descent its hammer on Nigeria after it emerged on Thursday, 3 July, 2014 that a Federal High Court in Jos, Plateau State has sacked the entire board of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF.

The court case was said to be filed by Ebiakpo Rumson Baribote, through his Counsel, S D Ekara.

Baribote was said to be asking the court to grant an Order of Interim Injunction restraining the second defendant, (Alhaji Aminu Miagari) and all the Committee and congress of the first defendant (the Nigeria Football Federation) from further controlling, commanding or managing the Affairs of the first Defendant and all Football matters in Nigeria. It was gathered that after deliberations on the matter, the court nullified the powers of the executive board of the NFF, mandating the Sport Minister, Tamuno Danagago, to appoint a new principal officer for the Nigerian football body.

The Nigerian sports minister was also mandated by the court to appoint Lawrence Longyir Katken as Acting Secretary General of the NFF.

Speaking on the development, Special Assistant to the sports minister on media, Patrick Omorodion, stated that the appointment of the new NFF scribe was a temporary one pending the outcome of the court case.

"The NFF is involved in a court case and this is a temporary appointment pending a court hearing," Omorodion told BBC Sport.

* NFF President Aminu Maigari

It was however reported few hours later that the football boss was later released by the security operatives. Sources close to Maigari told newsmen that no reason was given for his arrest.

Many people are already speculating it might have something to do with the court ruling.

It could be recalled that it is not the first time that Nigeria will be facing a threat of being banned by FIFA. 

After an abysmal campaign at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, President Goodluck Jonathan opted to pull out the national team from international competitions for two years in order to arrest the declining fortunes of the game in the country.

After entreaties from Nigerians and FIFA's threat to wield the big stick on the country, the decision was rescinded.

However, with the latest episode unfolding, Nigeria is towing that line again as FIFA has always frowned at government's interference in the administration of the game in its member nation.

Source: Legit.ng