A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has ordered the arrest of the president of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) Amaju Pinnick and four others.
The others are, NFF Secretary, Sunusi Mohammed; the 1st Vice-President, Seyi Akinwumi; the 2nd Vice-President, Shehu Dikko and an Executive member, Yusuff Fresh.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu issued the order of arrest following the refusal of the defendants to appear in court to answer to the charges of misappropriation of funds belonging to NFF.
The accused persons are facing a 17-count brought against them by the Federal Government through the Special Presidential Investigation Panel on the Recovery of Public Property.
They are accused of misappropriation $8,400,000 belonging to the NFF.
The money was paid by the world governing body FIFA to Nigeria for participation in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
The NFF officials are also accused of taking cash through a web of schemes, including payments received for “fake friendlies” as well as unexplained payments to match-agents.
As in previous proceedings, when the case was called on Monday, none of defendants was in court.
This made the prosecuting lawyer, Celcius Ukpong, to orally apply for their arrest, a request the judge granted.
The NFF president and his co-accused are expected to be arraigned on September 26, 2019.
