The Federal Government of Nigeria has directed Amaju Pinnick to vacate his position as president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), in a move that is bound to draw the ire of world football governing body, FIFA.
Pinnick was ordered by the office of the Attorney General through the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to forthwith comply with the Jos High Court order of September 19 and 23, 2014 that was recently restored by the Supreme Court recognising the leadership of Chris Giwa.
The notification read: “I have been directed to notify you of the Orders dated June 5th 2018 made by Honorable Justice M. H. Kurya sitting at the Federal High Court Jos in respect of the above mentioned suit between Yahaya Adama Vs Alhaji Aminu Maigari which states that the election of the NFF held on August 26, 2014 under the leadership of Amb Chris Giwa be given recognition pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed in this case and that the purported ban of the Executive Committee elected on August 26, 2014, from football activities of the NFF is unconstitutional, null and void.
“It is a trite law that court orders are sacrosanct and any acts of disobedience to it constitutes a threat to the rule of law. Consequent upon the above, you are hereby advised to comply with the orders of court made therein which for now, is the valid and binding order of the court, in the absence of any other subsisting order or judgment to the contrary.”
FIFA frowns at government meddling in football administration.
Minister of Youth and Sports, Solomon Dalung, however, says Delta-born Pinnick must comply with the Nigerian government order.
“This is a court order and not from Dalung,” he revealed.
“I will not want to go to Kuje prison because of disobedience of court orders. Therefore, I hereby comply with the court orders of June 5th 2018, while Mr Amaju Pinnick and others are also directed to comply with same.”
