Nigeria: NFF Crisis Hits Sour Note - Pinnick Writes IG to Arrest Giwa

The crisis rocking Nigerian football has hit a sour note with President of NFF, Melvin Amaju Pinnick requesting the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase to arrest Chris Giwa for allegedly inciting 'disturbance against NFF and also for allegedly "attempting to force his way into the Glass house of NFF yesterday.

Giwa, Chairman of Giwa FC in the Premier League shook Nigerian football when he claimed that he had obtained a court judgment in Jos which he claimed asked Pinnick and his Board members to vacate office for him and his cohorts.

But in a petition dated April 14 and signed by his lawyer, Mr. Festus Keyamo, Pinnick accused Giwa of acting on a non-existent court judgment to cause disaffection in the Glass House as there was no such order compelling him to vacate the NFF office as President.

Pinnick said: "In the last few days, one Chris Giwa has threatened to take over the occupation of the Headquarters of the Nigerian Football Federation, citing a non-existent court order in that respect.

"The said Chris Giwa has indeed taken steps to carry out that threat by bringing thugs and physically attempting to force his way into the Headquarters of the NFF on Friday, April 8, 2016.

Kindly note that, there is no court order anywhere, mandating the said Chris Giwa to take over any office or duties of the NFF.

"In a brazen and blatant disregard for the rule of law and pending court orders, Giwa has gone on air to announce the purported dissolution of various committees and the State Executive Committees set up by the NFF.

"The combined effect of the foregoing actions of Chris Giwa is the creation of crises and instability in Nigerian football management which has led to the intervention by FIFA. In its intervention, FIFA declared Chris Giwa's assertion as a false alarm and directed Chris Giwa to desist from such actions. Despite FIFA's intervention, the said Chris Giwa has continued in his actions. "Owing to the sensitive nature of football administration in Nigeria, physical and violent altercations are bound to occur if Chris Giwa is permitted to continue overheating the polity. We are, therefore, by this petition urging you to arrest and prosecute Chris Giwa for inciting disturbances", Keyamo stated.