A bench warrant for the arrest of the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, Amaju Pinnick and four other officials of the organisation accused of misappropriating funds belonging to the football body, has been issued.
The bench warrant was issued by Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, Nigeria, on Monday (today).
The judge arrived at the decision sequel to the absence of the NFF officials in court.
Other officials affected by the arrest order are NFF Secretary, Sunusi Mohammed; the 1st Vice-President, Seyi Akinwumi; the 2nd Vice-President, Shehu Dikko and an Executive member, Yusuff Fresh.
It would be recalled that the Federal Government, FG, had earlier this year instituted a 17-count charge, designated FHC/ABJ/CR/93/2019, before the court, wherein it accused the NFF officials of alleged misappropriation of $8,400,000 belonging to the football body.
The money was said to have been paid by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, FIFA, to the NFF as appearance fees in the group state of the Russia 2018 World Cup.
The defendants are also accused of “moving dishonestly and intentionally the sum of about N4bn” belonging to the NFF without the consent of the NFF.
Justice Ojukwu gave the order for the arrest of the defendants upon an oral application by the prosecution lawyer, Celcius Ukpong when the case was called and the defendants were absent.
