Revealed: EFCC Indicts NFF Chieftains, Writes President Buhari Over Alleged Mismanagement of (N5.3 billion) and ($16.4m)

Revealed: EFCC Indicts NFF Chieftains, Writes President Buhari Over Alleged Mismanagement of ($1.55m) and (N5.3 billion)

By Niyi Busari

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after completion of their investigation has indicted the chieftains of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) over mismanagement of One million, five hundred and fifty five thousand US Dollars ($1.55m) and Five billion, two hundred and eighty-eight million, nine hundred and ninety thousand naira (N5,288,990 Billion) being amount allegedly received from Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), Confederation of African Football (CAF) and sponsors.

This is contained in a letter with ref number: EFCC/EC/P/01/583 made available to www.bsnsports.com.ng and submitted to the office of the president, His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari by the Commission.

The Commission swung into action immediately having received a letter of complaint from the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development to investigate the finances of the NFF with regards to the mismanagement of funds.

The Commission during full investigation into the finances of the NFF, discovered that the domiciliary accounts of the NFF domiciled with Zenith and UBA Bank received total inflow of Sixteen Million, Four Hundred and Seventeen thousand, Seven hundred and Sixty-one US Dollars (USD16,417,761) from FIFA and CAF between 2014 and 2016.

An Interim investigation by the anti-graft agency further revealed that eleven (11) companies released funds to the NFF and the funds were received by Padmozi Sports Ltd, Financial Derivatives Consulting (FDC) Ltd and Hotsports Ltd. The investigation shows that one of the three above named companies appointed as financial consultant to the NFF is owed by the second vice president of the NFF inpers9n of Alhaji Shehu Dikko .

The investigation further revealed that the NFF has sponsorship deals with 21 Corporate organisations. The Commission also found out that between the year 2008 and 2018, eleven out of the 21 corporate bodies made sponsorship payment of the sum of Five Billion, Two Hundred and Eighty-eight Million, Nine Hundred ninety thousand naira. (N5,288,990) and also One Million Five Hundred and Fifty Five Thousand US Dollars.

Efforts made by BSN Sports to hear from the federation hit the brickwall as those contacted neither pick nor return their calls after several attempts.