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Giwa, Four Others Get Five-year CAF Ban
By Kunle Adewale
The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has slammed a five-year ban on embattled Chris Giwa and four of his associates.
The latest ban from CAF came after Giwa had earlier been slammed by the same number of years by the Amaju Pinnick- led Nigeria Football Federation.
The four others affected by the continental ban are Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong.
In a letter signed by CAF’s Secretary -General, Hicham El Amrani and dated May 27th 2016 and copied to NFF President stated that the ban forbade the five gladiators from all football related activities for five years.
CAF’s letter titled “Re- Conveyance of Sanctions by NFF Disciplinary Sanctions Extension at the Continental Level reads; Dear President, Following your previous correspondence dated May 16th and subsequent exchanges, CAF has well noted the decision of the NFF’s Disciplinary Committee dated May 12 placing five(5) year ban from all football related activities for the following people.
1. Christopher Giwa 2. Muazu Suleyman 3. Yahaya Adama 4. Sani Fema 5. Johnson Effiong
“Following receipt of the documentation and details on the case, CAF hereby confirms the extension of such sanctions at the continental level. Please accept, dear President, our most sincere regards”.
Giwa and Pinnick had been at loggerhead for some time over who takes control of the Glass House in Abuja.
Earlier this month the Disciplinary Committees of the Chris Giwa and the Amaju Pinnick led boards took the decision at their respective meeting in Abuja.
A communique issued by the Giwa-led Disciplinary Committee said that each member of the Pinnick-led NFF board had been suspended for seven years from football activities for impersonation.
Those banned are Amaju Pinnick, the President, Seyi Akinwunmi, 1st Vice President, as well as Ahmed Yusuf Fresh, Ibrahim Gusau, Inuwa Sheriff Amaral, Christopher Green and Baba Gana, all members of the board.
The ban was also extended to Suleiman Kwande, a member of the House of Representatives serving in the Pinnick-led NFF board.
The communique also said that the individuals were suspended after they failed to appear before the disciplinary committee to answer the impersonation allegations against them.
“Parties were invited to appear before the Organising and Disciplinary Committee but they did not respond, neither did they send representations. After a very careful review of the allegations against them, the committee has no option than to reach summary decisions on them.
“That the former members of the Amaju Pinnick group have been found guilty of impersonating the NFF despite being served the orders of the Federal High Court, Jos.
“The court on April 8, 2016, ordered the nullification of the September 30, 2014 election that purportedly brought them into office.
“That they have variously and severally continued the breach in perpetuity against the laws of the land.
“That the Executive Committee of the NFF should report the matter of impersonation, which are criminal in nature, to the Nigeria Police and the Directorate of State Security Service,” the communique read.
Similarly, the Pinnick-led NFF Organising and Disciplinary Committee after reviewing the situation, banned members of the Giwa board for five years each.
A communique of meeting issued by Ademola Olajire, NFF Assistant Director of Communications, said after the committee’s meeting in Abuja, said Giwa’s board was banned for illegally representing the NFF in South Africa.
“Christopher Giwa, Muazu Suleyman, Yahaya Adama, Sani Fema and Johnson Effiong are found guilty of Illegally representing the NFF in breach of Article 40 of the NFF Statutes.
It also said that the individuals were banned from football for taking football matters to a regular court in breach of Article 69(1) of the NFF Statute and failing to submit to the jurisdiction of FIFA.
With this latest ban from CAF, the egghead of the NFF can for the first time since assuming office breathe a sigh of relief as Giwa is no longer on their trail.
