No going back on Ogunjobi, Barribote ban — NFF

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has thrown more light on why the ban imposed on the former General Secretary of the federation, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi and erstwhile chairman of the Nigeria Professional League, Chief Victor Baribote, stand, despite the appeal made by the duo.

A member of the NFF Executive Committee, Chief Emeka Inyama in an interview with Daily Trust, reinstated that the ban slammed on the duo has come to stay unless the outcome of their appeal decide otherwise.

He said the decision to ban Chief Ogunjobi and Baribote 15 and 10 years respectively was part of the agenda of the Annual General Congress of the federation held in Warri last year but it was resolved that since they have appealed against the decision, the issue can not be debated by the congress.

Inyama explained that the misconception that both should be allowed to participate in football matters in the country does not hold water because until the appeal is heard, the decision of the federation on their ban stands.

“There is a misconception with the way it is being said. The executive committee has signed their suspension as recommended by the various committees.

“It was presented at AGM meeting in Warri, the General Secretary included it in the agenda of the meeting as one of the issues to be discussed or debated and it was in house record because the people affected have gone on appeal. We could not discuss their cases since they have gone for appeal. So the congress now referred their cases to the relevant body in charge, so until the appeal decision is taken, the position of the executive committee stand binding on them. You have gone to appeal does not mean that you are free,” Inyama who is also the board’s Media Committee chairman explained.