The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has banned a claimant to the presidency of the body, Chris Giwa, for five years.
Giwa was banned alongside some of his lieutenants in the journey to take over the leadership of the NFF.
The others also slammed with five years ban were Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong.
The decision to ban Giwa and his co-travellers was taken by the Disciplinary Committee of the NFF at its meeting on Thursday.
Several allegations were levelled against them, including taking football matters to ordinary court and misrepresenting the NFF.
A statement by the Disciplinary Committee said in part: “After reviewing the charges, available facts and evidence, the NFF Disciplinary Committee hereby finds as follows:
“That Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong are found guilty of Illegally representing the NFF in breach of Art. 40 of the NFF Statutes, when they without due authorization and mandate purported to contract a Law Firm, Messrs Leslie Cohen & Associates of Illovo Law Chambers, 4 Fricker Road, Ground Floor, South Africa in the name of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and refused to pay for services whereby the said Messrs Leslie Cohen & Associates commenced proceedings against the NFF for the sum of $100000 being legal fees for professional services rendered in the High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Local Division, Johannesburg.
“That Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong are found guilty of breaching Art. 69(1) of the NFF Statutes by taking football matters to the ordinary court and failing to submit to the jurisdiction of FIFA and the NFF.
“That there is insufficient particulars and evidence submitted to establish the charge of threats, unguarded, uncouth and uncivilized statements in the media against the NFF, brought against Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong
“That Christopher Giwa is guilty of breach of the general rules of conduct as contained in Art. 13 of the FIFA Code of Ethics when he invaded the premises of the Nigeria Football Federation and falsely presented himself as President of the NFF on 6th May, 2016.
“That Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong are found guilty of failing to comply fully with the Statutes, regulations, directives and decisions of FIFA and NFF in contravention of Art. 13 1(a) of NFF Statutes 2010 in relation to the NFF Election held in Warri Delta State on 30th September, 2014.
“That Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong are in breach of fiduciary and loyalty as contained in Art. 15 of FIFA Code of Ethics 2012 by carrying out various deliberate acts and conducts capable of attracting a ban from FIFA on the NFF capable of putting the administration and development of football in Nigeria into jeopardy.
“Based on the findings above and in Line with the provision of Art. 65 (3) of the NFF Statutes 2010, the NFF Disciplinary Committee hereby pronounces the following sanctions on the following persons:
“Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong are hereby banned from taking part in any football related activity for a period of Five (5) years each.”
The Disciplinary Committee, which meeting was attended by Prof. Olufemi Adegbesan (Vice-Chairman), Adamu Sani Osmond, Kelvin Omuojine and Christian Emeruwa, also deliberated on the abandoned match between Giwa FC and Rangers FC in the Nigeria Professional Football League and that between Giwa FC and Wikki Tourists, which was not honoured by Giwa FC in Florin, to which it was banished owing to crowd violence at the Jos Township Stadium.
The statement on Thursday added: “In the matter between LMC Vs. Giwa FC on Match Day 12; Match No: 115, the Committee Rules as Follows:
“That the decision of the LMC as contained in the Summary Jurisdiction Notice dated Thursday 28th April, 2016 is hereby upheld by the Nigeria Football Federation Disciplinary Committee.
“That Giwa FC shall pay a fine of N2,000,000 (Two Million Naira Only) to the LMC
“That Giwa FC shall pay the Sum of N650,000 to offset the expenses of the match officials to the LMC
“That Giwa FC shall pay the Sum of N1, 000,000 (One Million Naira) Only to offset the expenses incurred by Rangers International FC
“That an order that the match, which lasted for 74 minutes, shall count as a completed fixture i.e the goals so far recorded (0-1) shall be the final score for the match. This is pursuant to Rule B13.55 which states that ‘ the LMC may order a league match which for whatever reason lasts for less than 90 minutes to count as a completed fixture or to be replayed.
“In the matter between LMC Vs. Giwa FC on Match Day 14; Match No: 136, the Committee Rules as Follows:
“That the decision of the LMC as contained in the Summary Jurisdiction Notice dated Tuesday 3rd May, 2016 is hereby upheld by the Nigeria Football Federation Disciplinary Committee.
“That in line with Rule B 13:25 of the Frame Work and Rules of the NPFL the Committee Rules that Giwa FC shall forfeit to Wikki Tourists FC the three points as well as three goals arising from the match
“Giwa FC shall pay a fine of N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira Only) being the sum of expenses including stadium hire, security and logistics incurred in respect of the match to the LMC.”
