Lulu’s Lawyer to Make a No Case Submission

The end appears to be in sight for the protracted legal tussle between a former President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi, and three of his lieutenants, Amanze Uchegbulam, Taiwo Ogunjobi, and Bolaji Ojo-Oba, who have been standing trial for the past five years over their management of affairs while they were in charge at the Glass House, following a request by their leading counsel, Akin Olujimi (SAN) to make “a no case submission” to the trial judge, Justice F.S. Chukwu.

Making the application, on Wednesday, June 18, at Court Eight of the Federal High Court, Abuja, the leading counsel said the two witnesses that have testified so far against the accused since they have been on trial for the past five years on allegation of financial impropriety while they were in charge of the administration of the NFF have not been able to prove their case “beyond reasonable doubt”.

Olujimi added that the petitions for which Lulu and the three other former NFF officials are being tried did not follow due process as they were never queried for their conduct nor their attention drawn to the allegations made against them in line with due administrative process.

He further argued that the then Minister of Sport, Ibrahim Bio’s report to the Presidency in 2010 also did not follow due process.

Granting the request, Justice Chukwu gave the defendants’ lawyer to make his submission within 21 days, while equally granting the plaintiff’s legal team another 21 days to file their response.

The case has been slated for September 23 for further hearing.