Chris Giwa to take over NFF Presidency – Court

Justice Musa Haruna Kurya this morning in the ancient city of Jos at the Federal High Court has granted the prayers of the plaintiffs, Yahaya Adama and Senator Obinna Ogba, to not only relist the suit in the tussle of the leadership of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) but also sustained all the previous orders of the court effectively making Ambassador Chris Giwa the head of the federation until the final determination of the suit.

The gavel of Justice fell on the side of the plaintiff who had sought for the relisting of the suit which was kept sine die and thereby bring back all the previous orders of that court which has consigned, pending the final determination of the suit, the Amaju Pinnick board to the bin and uphold the Chris Giwa board.

Our readers will recall that the court as then presided by Justice Ambrose Allagoa of the Federal High Court Jos nullified the Warri General Assembly and the subsequent Elective congress that elected one faction of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by Amaju Pinnick.

According to Justice Allagoa, “I have set aside all the proceedings and decisions of the Warri Extra Ordinary meeting of the 20th September and the Elective Congress of 30th September which were direct contravention of the orders of this court as granted on the 19th September.”

“Nobody should foist on the court a complete case of hopelessness so that the principles of law and justice can be upheld. It’s not enough to say that the order of court was wrongly made, no matter how unorthodox, its subsisting orders, unless set aside, remains law and must be respected.”

“Defendants in this matter have not filed any counter affidavits in this court to contest the facts. There is no motion nor Memorandum of Appearance. This is a court of Record. On this note, the court has no option than to protect the integrity and sanctity of court. Court orders are not tea party. Nobody is above the law. Impunity must be stopped.

He added, “I have left out the issue of contempt. That does not mean that the Orders of this court should be further disobeyed. Parties are however warned.”

We are waiting for reactions from the lawyers in the matter. They are yet to come out of the court.

Speaking from the courtroom, after the ruling, Barrister Damon Dashe said, “We shall consult with our clients but certainly we shall go to the Court of Appeal as we are not satisfied with the decisions of the court in this matter.”

As the Federal High Court has admitted to relist the matter and sustain its own Orders, the decision of Justice Allagoa on the Warri Congress became the first victim.

Messrs Adama Yahaya and Obinna Ogba had dragged the Minister of Sports and the President and General Secretary of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to the court in suit number FC/J/CS/77/2014.

President Goodluck Jonathan had called parties to a round table where he pleaded to be allowed to intervene in the crisis. When Plaintiff counsel, Habila Ardzard, was to withdraw the matter, he told the court then, “the number one citizen had demanded to intervene in the matter and that if parties are not satisfied, they can return to court. That is why we are withdrawing this matter.” The court agreed and struck the matter out.