46—SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 1, 2019 Pinnick fights back: We are being victimised President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick says he and four other top officials are being "victimised". Pinnick was reacting to the court summons to top NFF officials who were ordered to appear in court on 1 July to face charges over the alleged misappropriation of funds. The case has been brought by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP) for the recovery of public property. "The motive for this media trial is purely destructive, it's a deepseated emotional, obsessional and delusional hatred," Pinnick insisted. "This is not the first time, we believe all the false allegations are aimed at destroying our credibility and what we've built." He went on to explain that none of the officials have been personally informed of the court summons and feels that the country's Attorney General should be involved. "The prosecution lawyer claimed he couldn't serve the NFF officials and was given permission to serve at the NFF office, while the case was adjourned to 1 July," Pinnick added. "We are not ordered to appear before a court in a case that is before the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) for an independent review." Pinnick alongside NFF vice presidents Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, general secretary Mohammed Sanusi and board member Ahmed Yusuf have denied all the charges and that they have no case to answer. In the last two weeks, Nigerian Athletics has trended, albeit for the wrong reasons. What makes this development really frustrating is the fact that the issues that have brought about this international embarrassment could have been avoided if better handled by those at the helm of affairs of Sports in this country. Two weeks ago it was revealed that the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) had given Nigeria an ultimatum of two weeks to refund a sum of $135,000 which was paid in error to Nigeria in May 2017. In the process of paying a $15,000 grant to Nigeria, an extra zero was added in error, thus a sum of $150,000 was credited to Nigeria instead of the $15,000 initially intended. It is said that two months later, the IAAF notified the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) of the error and ever since, it’s been a game of hide and seek as it concerns refunding the balance of the money. The IAAF had to resort to sending the now much publicized letter a few weeks ago, threatening to sanction Nigeria if the money wasn’t refunded within two weeks. Well, it’s past the deadline now but I understand that the AFN board has written to the IAAF to plead for more time to pay the money. Going by the controversy this issue has generated, I do not think that the AFN was left with much of a choice in this issue. However, knowing what obtains in this country, it is highly unlikely that the real culprits that diverted and mismanaged these funds will be held accountable for their actions. It won’t be a surprise if this issue eventually gets swept under the carpet as it is wont The charges being pursued by the SPIP include failure to declare their assets, the alleged disappearance of US$8.4 million paid by Fifa to Nigeria for participation in the 2014 World Cup and arranging international friendly matches that do not take place. Prosecution lawyer Celsius Ukpong, from the SPIP insisted on Thursday: "We are expecting the accused persons, the defendants, to come to court and take their plea." When two Elephants fight, the grass suffers to in a place like Nigeria, and life goes on as usual. It sounded incredulous to hear the immediate past Minister of Sports, Solomon Dalung accuse the IAAF of blackmail while speaking with members of the press last weekend at the Okpekpe 10km International Race. According to Dalung, “I think Nigeria has been unfairly treated because the issue has been promoted as if there was any wrongdoing on the side of Nigeria; certainly not. Grants were released to Nigeria on the 17th of May 2017; IAAF on the 19th confirmed the transaction. Just for IAAF after two months to turn round and cry foul, that it was a mistake. I mean a transaction that was done and confirmed suddenly turned mistake. I smell a rat in the whole thing and I believe the whole thing has been orchestrated and is an attempt just to blackmail Pinnick is adamant that the problems away from the pitch will not affect Nigeria's preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations. "We don't want to lose focus. Their plan is to get us distracted and get us destroyed but we are resilient," Pinnick added. "We are not telling you we are saints, we are humans and we can make mistakes. But the good news about us is that our mistakes we turn to learning process. "It's human to be intelligent to learn from mistakes and be resurgent enough to bounce back. That's what we'll do." It is not the first time officials of the NFF will be involved in corruption allegations. Back in 2010, four former officials were arrested amid accusations that some $8m went missing during the World Cup finals in South Africa. It took eight years for the quartet to be acquitted by the anti-graft agency. Chukwueze: I'm flattered by Liverpool links illarreal winger Samuel VChukwueze has admitted that he is flattered to be linked with a big-money <strong>move</strong> to Liverpool. The Nigeria international was far from a household name 12 months ago but he has emerged as one of Europe’s most coveted young attackers after an excellent breakthrough campaign in La Liga. Chukwueze scored ten goals in total for Villarreal, including one in a 4-4 draw with Barcelona in which he tore the champions’ defence to shreds with his rapid pace and direct dribbling. According to The Mail, Liverpool have identified a player compared to Bayern Munich legend Arjen Robben as a potential summer signing – despite the eye-watering £54 million release clause in his Villarreal contract. Chukwueze has made it clear that he is thrilled to be linked with a club of Liverpool’s stature though he is happy with life at the Estadio de la Ceramica. “It’s good that I am linked to great clubs, because that shows that hard work has its reward,” the 20-year-old said when quizzed about Liverpool’s interest. “I do not want to rush to go to another club. But if I ever had to leave, I should make sure I go to a club where I’m going to play.” A Nigeria. “I made a mistake in transferring money and I realized within 10 minutes and I called my bank and retrieved the money. Why did it take the IAAF two months to realize a mistake? An international organization, highly reputable. I think it is not about money erroneously credited to Nigeria but there is a calculated attempt just to diminish and destroy Nigerian Athletics, otherwise I don’t see where they call it mistake. We didn’t apply for grant. “What has Nigeria done? What is the crime? They are asking for the balance. Did we steal any money from them? Did we ask them to send any money to us? They transferred money to us and after two months they woke up from slumber. Is IAAF telling us that they as disorganized as that? We are even F/Eagles barred from media interviews embers and technical staff of Mthe junior national team, the Flying Eagles have been barred from speaking to the media apart from the mandatory news conference ahead of each game. The Eagles coached by former Enyimba gaffer Paul Aigbogun played out a 1-1 draw <strong>against</strong> Ukraine in their last Group D game on Thursday evening after a 4-0 win and 2-0 defeat to Qatar and USA respectively which ensured they qualified as one of the four best group losers. The general performance of the team has generated widespread criticisms from Nigerians who have called the ...as BEFL kicked off with a bang he much anticipated Bet9ja TEkiti Football League ( BEFL), kicked off yesterday at the Oluyemi Kayode stadium, Ado-Ekiti with lots of excitement and goals to the delight of the impressive crowd that included Ekiti State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, Hon. Michael Awopetu; HRH, Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin, the Olukere of Ikere; the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Sports Development, Mr Yemi Owoseni and a host of other dignataries. Declaring the competition open, Governor John Kayode Fayemi who spoke through Hon. Awopetu, reiterated the commitment of his administration towards the development of Ekiti youths and the provision of sports facilities. "My government shall Ikpeba donates to Fregene member of the Delta State Football Association (DFA), Victor Ikpeba has made a cash donation of two hundred thousand (#200,000) to embattled coach Peter Fregene who is bed ridden and seeking for help in medications and otherwise. Ikpeba, an ex international and one time African Footballer of the year sent the cash through another ex international and Acting chairman of DFA Edema Fuludu. not convinced that it is a mistake. Return what? “If it is $15,000 why did they send 150,000? The difference between 15,000 and $150,000 is so large, how did they make that kind of mistake? I think those crying blue murder and promoting this are enemies of this country. We should ask questions. We have not done anything wrong. We will want IAAF to convince us what the crime of Nigeria is that they want to ban us.” How does a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria so blatantly justify the spending of money that wasn’t ours to spend in the first place? When Nigeria was credited with a sum of $150,000, why wasn’t any effort made to find out what the money was meant for, seeing that it wasn’t normal to receive a sum of that magnitude from the IAAF? Going by Dalungs’s response, one Flying Eagles as the worst U-20 national team in recent times. This, and the fact that the ages of the players have been called into question have made the team less receptive to the idea of granting interviews. "We have been told not to speak with the media. I am sorry I cannot respond to your questions," a camp source said. "Surely we know that it won't be easy now going into the knockout stages. I cannot speak with you on any other thing, please, I hope you understand," came the polite response. The Flying Eagles will face Italy or Senegal in the Round of 16 stages on Monday. Fayemi assures Ekiti on sports development The Acting Chairman said in their last meeting in Asaba Ikpeba said he has read so much about the plight of ex international Peter Fregene and decided to make this personal donation to assist him. Speaking at the presentation, Edema Fuludu said Ikpeba has a heart to help and it is not about how much money one has. There are people who are so poor that all they have is money (Bob Marley).Victor Ikpeba had his growing up in Sapele continue to support sports and particularly, the development of youths in this state. I am also impressed with what is ongoing in Ekiti football and I want to assure you of the continued support and encouragement of this administration," Fayemi stated. The competition swung into action immediately after the kick off by Oba Ganiyu Obasoyin. The first match of the day, saw Moyero fc defeated Paul Omotosho fc 3-0. And it was quickly followed by the most exciting game of the day, as the youngsters of Phoenix ASC Center of Excellence, Ado branch annihilated their bigger opponents Clever Companion fc 6-0. In the other games of the day, Golden Light fc narrowly lost to Felix fc 2-3; as Ekiti East fc also defeated Ayedun United 1-0. And earlier, Ikole United walked over Amilano fc who did not turn up for the game. •Ikpeba and Peter Fregene is also from Sapele and a football icon he looked up to. would think that it took the IAAF two years to realize their mistake. The IAAF alleged that they had been in talks with the AFN and Sports Ministry for two years now, and even had a meeting with the Minister last year during the African Senior Athletics Championships held in Asaba in August, where he allegedly recommitted to paying the money. Why turn around and suddenly begin to act like the victim? To add insult to injury, he more or less dared the IAAF to do their worst. How convenient, seeing that he would no longer be on seat should Nigeria be sanctioned, which makes me question his interest in sports development in the first place. Because at the end of the day, when two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers, which in this case, would be the Nigerian athletes.
SATURDAY Vanguard, JUNE 1, 2019—47
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