AFN Is Ready To Open Financial Books For EFCC, ICPC Scrutiny, Says Okowa

PRESIDENT of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria ( AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, has dismissed a petition by some of his board members who are calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission ( ICPC), to scrutinise the finances of the federation.

Okowa said it was laughable his vice presidents, Tafida Gadzama, Rosa Collins and three others could accuse the AFN board of misappropriating funds based on the report of the AFN Audit Committee, which claimed to uncovered violations. Okowa said there was nothing to hide, and when called upon by any of the nation’s investigative bodies, the books would be opened.

He said the members only agenda was to become stumbling blocks to athletics development.

The AFN held its board meeting on January 6, 2024, where some issues affecting the federation, including the Audit Committee Reports were looked into. At that meeting, which was attended by nine members, the AFN board dissolved its committees after serving two years. The board also refused to uphold a particular recommendation of the Audit committee, which tagged the various funds loaned to the federation by the president, Okowa, as ‘ donations.’

The Board unanimously agreed that Chief Okowa should be refunded his money, as well as all other members who loaned out monies to the Federation.

Okowa stated that the members are mischievously trying to create a crisis in the AFN as their selfish agenda is not materialising.

“I think these people are just looking for a way to call us ( AFN) bad names before the general public. In the first place, as the AFN president, I have the power to approve money for the federation to execute its various programme of activities,” said Okowa.