A Lagos-based lawyer and solicitor to the Chairman of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Pinnick, Mr Festus Keyamo, has declared the order of seat vacation, credited to the Minister of Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung against his client as null and void.
Keyamo who is also the spokesperson of the Buhari Campaign Organisation said in a statement made available to Daily Trust in Lagos that the order from the Minister is of no effect.
“We are solicitors to Mr. Amaju Pinnick and the present Board of the NFF which he heads. We issue this statement on the instruction and directive of our clients which reflect their official position on the matter.
“The attention of our clients has been drawn to a statement purportedly issued at the behest of the Minister of Sports, Mr. Solomon Dalung directing the NFF to comply with certain court orders effecting a change of leadership in the NFF. Our clients wish to alert the general public and the authorities in Nigeria that the so-called directive by the Minister of Sports is null, void and of no effect for the following reasons,” a part of the statement read.
Keyamo, who canvassed four grounds to justify Pinnick’s position insisted that the said order being used by the Minister is not binding on the Federation of International Football (FIFA) and NFF which is its affiliate in Nigeria.
“It should be noted that FIFA has consistently maintained that this same matter has been taken to the highest Court of Sports Arbitration in Switzerland by these same individuals and they have lost. FIFA is only bound by the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sports and does not entertain or tolerate decisions by local courts in footballing nations worldwide.
“Hence, FIFA has since upheld the decision of the Court of Arbitration on this matter and recognized the NFF Board led by Amaju Pinnick. Nigeria has a duty to comply with that decision. In addition, for the indiscretion of those individuals like Chris Giwa to approach the local courts, FIFA has since imposed a worldwide ban on them from all footballing activities,” the statement also read.
