NFF BANS OGUNJOBI FOR 10 YEARS, BARIBOTE FOR 15!

The NFF should the remember the legal maxim that says you cannot be a judge in your own cause - audi alteram patem!

Nigeria Football Federation has wielded the big stick by placing a 10-year ban on a former General Secretary of the Federation and Executive Committee Member, Taiwo Ogunjobi and a 15-year ban on former Chairman, Nigerian Premier League (NPL).

The decision to suspend the duo was taken at the Executive Committee meeting of the Federation held in Addis Ababa on Saturday, October 12, 2013.

According to the statement issued on Monday, the Executive Committee sanctioned the ban sequel to the report of an investigative committees chaired by Chris Green on Ogunjobi’s case and the one headed by Emeka Inyama on Baribotes’s matter.

Also, the NFF resolved to constitute a four-man committee to probe bribery allegation against the chairman of the Organizing and disciplinary Committee (O&D), Olaleye Adepoju as well as Chidi Ofor Okenwa, chairman of Enugu State Football association.

The 11-point communiqué issued by Emeka Inyama, chairman Communiqué Drafting Committee reads in full:

“The Executive Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation met at the Saro-Maria Hotel in Addis Ababa, capital of Ethiopia on Saturday, 12th October, 2013 to discuss pertinent issues in Nigeria football and decided as follows:

“The Executive Committee praised the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR for finding time out of a very heavy schedule during the African Union summit in Ethiopia, to attend training session of the Super Eagles on Saturday, 12th October, 2013 which hugely inspired the players to defeat Ethiopia in a 2014 FIFA World Cup final elimination fixture, first leg in Addis Ababa on
Sunday, 13th October, 2013.

“The Committee, based on the report of an investigative committee headed by Barrister Chris Green, approved a 10-year ban from all football-related activities on one-time NFF General Secretary and former NFF Executive Committee member, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi.

“Similarly, the Committee, based on the report of an investigative committee headed by Chief Emeka Inyama, approved a 15-year ban from all football-related activities on former NPL Chairman, Chief Rumson Victor Baribote. These decisions by the Executive Committee are subject to ratification of the Congress of Nigeria football at the next Annual General Assembly, as contained in the NFF Statutes.