Ahead of the forthcoming sports federations’ elections, the chairman of the caretaker committee, Badminton Federation of Nigeria (BFN), Mr. Francis Orbih has been accused of manipulative tendencies and misappropriation of funds running into millions of naira in over four years of his administration.
The sports administrator who is warming up to re-contest for the presidency of the sport federation is accused of secretly registering players and coaches online in a bid to gain undue advantage over other aspirants.
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The allegations were contained in a petition from Concerned Badminton Stakeholders in Nigeria and signed by a former international, Kenneth Aguine.
Among monies allegedly misappropriated by Orbih is the N190m he is said to have received from the Rivers State government for the 2019 Africa Senior Badminton Championship, N10m from the Sports Ministry for the same championship and another N20m for international tournaments in Finland, Poland and Egypt in 2020.
“All monies released by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development (FMOY&SD) and other corporate sponsors were not brought to the knowledge of the Board for deliberations and approval as required and clearly stated in the “National Sports Federations Code of Governance 2017” issued by the same Ministry to guide the administrative and financial operations of the Federations.
“Section 4.6.5 is expected to provide all financial statement of income and expenditure to the Board through the Secretary but unfortunately throughout the over four years of Mr Orbih’s tenure, the Board was in the dark of what transpired financially between him and the Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as the Rivers State Government in the sponsorships of Badminton competitions,” the petition stated.
Responding to the allegations, Orbih said he was shocked that people could go low because of the upcoming federations’ elections.
“I really don’t want to dwell on it. They reported me to the EFCC and even the minister. It’s very obvious that it is because of the elections.
“I didn’t know people could go that low because of elections. It is crazy. They are wild allegations against me and they hold no substance at all,” he said.
Meanwhile, elections into six sports federations will be held on September 30, in Abuja.
