3rd October, 2014
The Minister of Sports, Tammy Danagogo and Aminu Maigari, immediate past Chairman of Nigeria Football Association (NFA) have been charged with contempt of court by the Federal High Court, Jos.
Also charged with the offence are the Secretary General of the association, Musa Amadu, and Plateau Football Association for itself and all the football associations in the country, including the Federal Capital Territory,
The contempt charge, which was signed by the Registrar of court, Mr A. Bawa, was brought against the three persons following Tuesday’s conduct of NFA board’s election in Warri, Delta, in defiance of an order of the court stopping the exercise.
NAN reports that notice of the charge was pasted on the main door of NFA in Abuja on Friday evening.
Vice Chairman of the Chris Giwa-led NFA board, Obinna Ogba and another member, Yahaya Adama, obtained the injunction from the high court restraining the Maigari-led board from holding the 20 September 2014 and 30 September 2014 extraordinary congresses.
Both congresses held contrary to the court order and the Chairman of Delta Sports Commission, Amaju Pinnick, was elected the new NFA Chairman.
The court notice directed the defendants to ensure that they appeared in court on 8 October 2014 “and prove why they should not be committed to prison”.
“Take notice that the plaintiff will on 8 October 2014 at the hour of 9. O’clock apply to this Court for an Order for your committal to prison,” the notice read in part.
“This is for disobeying the Order of this Court made on 19 September 2014, enjoining and restraining you jointly and severally from convening or holding a general assembly or extraordinary general assembly.
“Also, for holding election into the board of the NFA pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in this case.”
NAN reports that the Giwa-led board is challenging the non-recognition of their election on 26 August by majority of the football associations’ chairmen in the country.