Still counting the cost of Nigeria’s ouster from the World Cup going on in Brazil, President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Aminu Maigari, got another kick in the teeth on Thursday as a High Court sitting in Plateau State restrained him and the entire board of the NFF from running the affairs of Nigerian football pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed by a Plaintiff, Ebiakpo Rumson Baribote, the owner of Nembe FC.
Mrs. Baribote had through her Counsel, S. D. Ekara, holding brief for T. D. Quidon, filed a Suit, No PLD/J 342/2014, praying the Court to grant an Order of Interim Injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant (Alhaji Aminu Maigari) and all the Committee and Congress of the 1st Defendant (the Nigeria Football Federation) from further controlling, commanding or managing the affairs of the 1st Defendant and all Football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed in the case.
Consequently, the presiding Judge, Justice P. L. Lot, declared: “That Interim Injunction is granted restraining the 2nd Defendant, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, and all other purported members of the Executive Committee and Congress of the 1st Defendant (NFF) from further Controlling, Commanding or Managing the Affairs of the 1st defendant and all Football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing, and determination of the Motion on Notice.
“An Order of mandatory injunction is granted compelling the 4th Defendant (Minister of Sports) to appoint a senior members of the civil service in the 1st Defendant (NFF) to command , control and manage the Affairs of the said 1st Defendant and the Football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice i this matter.”
Justice Lot therefore fixed July 11, 2014 for hearing on the Motion on Notice.
Sequel to court declaration, the Minister of Sports, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, has appointed Lawrence Katiken, the most senior staff at the NFF, to take over as acting Secretary General and run football matters.
A letter personally signed by Danagogo, addressed to Katiken, reads in part: “Further to Suit No. PLD/J 342/2014 and an order of mandatory injunction, issuing from Hon. Justice PL Lot,….you (Lawrence Katiken) are hereby directed to act as Secretary General of the NFF, and to take over the full management of the NFF.
“You are to hold this position pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in the referenced suit.”
