$9.5m FIFA grant: Court orders NFF to produce charge against Pinnick

An FCT High Court in Maitama has ordered the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to produce before it a magistrate court charge against Amaju Pinnick and Dr Muhammed Sanusi in alleged $9.5 million dollars FIFA grant scam.

The presiding judge, Justice Peter Affen made the order yesterday after NFF lawyer, Festus Ukpe told the court that the same matter was pending at a magistrate court against the NFF president Amaju Pinnick and the General Secretary of the football federation Dr. Mohammed Sanusi.

The judge demanded for the copy of the charge before the magistrate court to avoid abuse of court processes.

Justice Affen further ordered the lawyer to file further affidavit before May 30 showing that the case was pending in such court.

He subsequently adjourned the matter to May 30 for hearing.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had approached the court to join Pinnick and Sanusi in the charge.

Those standing trial earlier are Christopher Andekin, NFF Director of Administration and Finance, Reagan Zaka, Cashier and Fadanari Mamza, Head, Finance and Account Department.

They were charged by the EFCC on five counts of criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and misappropriation.

The court was told that the three defendants conspired between Jan. 8 and Jan. 26, 2015 to commit the offences, contrary to Section 97 of Penal Code.

It was alleged that Andekin was entrusted with money meant for the development of football in Nigeria, a grant from the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).

It was further alleged that Andekin however fraudulently diverted $1.3 million from the NFF domiciliary account with Zenith Bank, an act that is contrary to section 311 of the Penal Code.

Zaka on his part, allegedly diverted $7.2 million grant from FIFA for development of football in Nigeria while Mamza allegedly diverted $2.3 million.

They however pleaded not guilty to the charge.