Presidency summons NFF bigwigs over alleged ‘diversion of funds’
Akinwunmi, Dikko, Ahmed Yusuf, Chris Green on the list
SEVEN top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), including the first and second vice presidents, Seyi Akinwunmi and Shehu Dikko, have been summoned by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP), as part of its efforts to recover public property and diverted funds.
In a letter from the Presidency addressed to the President, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), with reference CR:3000/SPIP/ABJ/T5/VOL.2, dated October 24, 2018, made available to The Guardian, the seven NFF officials were invited to make clarification on certain issues being investigated by the panel, including recovery of public property and diversion of public funds.
The letter signed by the Director of Operations, Tahir Usman, on behalf of chairman of the panel, also has Alhaji Ahmed Yusuf (aka Fresh), Barrister Christopher Green, Otumba Sunday Dele Ajayi, Alizor Chuks and Mohammed Cheku on the list of those invited.
“Following the constitution of the Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP) for the Recovery of Public Property in line with the Recovery of Public Property (Special Provision) Act. 2004, the panel is investigating an alleged case or conspiracy and Diversion of Public Funds in which the names of the above officers featured and the need to obtain certain clarification from your organisation becomes necessary.
“In view of the above, you are to release the officers for interview with the chairman of the Panel on October 30, 2018 by 11.00am prompt at SPIP office, Plot 2802, Idris Kutigi Street, adjacent to AIT, Guzupe, Asokoro extension, Abuja.
No detail has been given about the ‘public properties and diverted funds’ being investigated by SPIP, The Guardian, however, learnt yesterday that the invitation of Akinwunmi, Dikko and other top NFF officials may not be unconnected with the alleged diversion of $10.8 million FIFA grant, in which three officials of the NFF are on trial with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The three officials, Christopher Andekin (NFF Director of Administration and Finance), Fadanari Mamza (Head, Finance and Account Department) and Reagan Zaka (Cashier) were arraigned by EFCC at the Federal High Court at Maitama, Abuja, recently for allegedly tampering with $9.5 million and $1.3 million received from FIFA. They are facing charges ranging from criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and misappropriation.
Three French players crash out, one advances
THREE home players crashed out in their first round matches, but in a pairing of compatriots, Gilles Simon defeated Lucas Pouille 6/3, 6/4.
The dismal day for host country commenced with Fernando Verdasco of Spain defeating Jeremy Chardy 6/4; 6/4, followed by Marton Fucsovics of Hungary dismissing Benoit Paire 6/4; 6/4 and ending with Mikhail Kukukshin of Russia outlasting PierreHugues Herbert 3/6; 6/3; 7/5. It was a dismal outing for Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas who lost 3/6; 3/6 to Russia’s Damiil Dzumhur.
The 27-year old Herbert, a top ranked doubles player won the first set by 6 games to 3. In the opening game of the second set, Kukukshin struggled through a 7-minute stretch before holding. It was a fateful game as he broke Herbert and held for a 3-0 lead. Although the Frenchman won the fourth game, the set flowed routinely with serve to end 6-3.
In the decider, Herbert shot ahead 2-1 and took Kukukshin’s serve to lead 31. However a reverse of breaks gave the Russian the fifth game and he saved a break point before taking the sixth game to level 3-all. Although he had three game points at 40-15; Kukukshin was taken to deuce before holding serve. Herbert survived two break points before winning the seventh game.
The two players held their service games to reach 5-all. In the eleventh game, Herbert faced three break points at 30-40, saved one of them but surrendered the break. Serving for the match, Kukukshin reached match point at 40-30 and sealed the victory after 2 hours and 17 minutes. The 30-year old from Volgograd won their first ever career match-up.
Marton Fucsovics won the first set 6/4. Paire lost his serve to concede a break in the third game of second set and his opponent consolidated to 3-1. An exchange of breaks led to 42 but Paire held to reduce the gap. Fucsovics won four straight points to extend the lead to 5-3.
The Frenchman hammered an ace to take the ninth game but Fucsovics dropped only one point on serve to take the second set 6/4 after one hour and 17 minutes. It was their third career meeting, all in 2018.