Trouble in Football House as Court Sacks Maigari, Others
As though the exit of the Super Eagles from the World Cup was not enough worry for managers of the nation’s football, more trouble came the way of the football authority Thursday. Justice P.L Lot of a High Court sitting in Plateau State has granted an Order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the President of the Nigeria Football Association, Aminu Maigari, his Executive Committee members and the NFF Congress, from running the affairs of Nigerian football forthwith, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice before the court.
Following this declaration, Sports Minister, Tammy Danagogo, has directed through a letter personally signed by him and addressed to Mr Lawrence Katiken as follows:
“Further to Suit No. PLD/J 342/2014 and an order of mandatory injunction, issuing from Hon. Justice PL Lot,….you (Lawrence Katiken) are hereby directed to act as Secretary General of the NFF, and to take over the full management of the NFF.
“You are to hold this position pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice in the referenced suit”.
The owner of Nembe FC, Mrs Ebiakpo Rumson Baribote (Plaintiff) had through her Counsel, S D Ekara, holding brief of T D Quidon Esq, filed a Suit No PLD/J 342/2014, asked the Court to grant an Order of Interim Injunction restraining the 2nd Defendant, (Alhaji Aminu Miagari) and all the Committee and congress of the 1st Defendant (the Nigeria Football Federation) from further controlling, commanding or managing the Affairs of the 1st Defendant and all Football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed in this case.
In his declaration, Justice P.L Lot, stated: “That interim injunction is granted restraining the 2nd Defendant, Alhaji Aminu Maigari, and all other purported members of the Executive Committee and Congress of the 1st Defendant (NFF) from further Controlling, Commanding or Managing the Affairs of the 1st defendant and all Football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing, and determination of the Motion on Notice.
“An Order of mandatory injunction is granted compelling the 4th Defendant (Minister of Sports) to appoint a senior members of the civil service in the 1st Defendant (NFF) to command , control and manage the Affairs of the said 1st Defendant and the Football matters in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice i this matter”. Justice Lot therefore fixed July 11, 2014 for hearing on the Motion on Notice