By Albert Akota
The suit filed against the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) at a High Court at Jos by owner of Nembe Football Club, Mrs Ebiakpo Baribote may withdraw today, which also the new deadline is given by Fifa for the reinstatement of the Aminu Maigari-led NFF board.
top sources at the National Sports Commission (NSC) and State House today that Mrs Baribote has been persuaded to withdraw the case in the interest of Nigeria while the powers that be will ensure the 15-year ban imposed on her husband Victor Rumson Baribote is not only lifted but will also have the luxury of returning to the Nigeria Football Federation but with a clause – through due election.
The complainant has agreed with the top sports administrators that held a meeting again on Tuesday with her and her husband and have also set machinery in motion to get the case thrown out from the Plateau State High Court in Jos.
“As I speak with you now, some top officials from the federal government level have waded into the matter and Mr President (Goodluck Ebele Jonathan) wants the issue to be resolved early enough not to incur Fifa’s ban, because as a sports lover he knows what football means to an average Nigerian fan and youths too.
“So I am confident that by tomorrow (today) the case will be withdrawn for Fifa to lift the suspension placed on Nigeria which is the most important issue on ground now,” a top sports administrator said.
There is the danger of Nigeria missing out of the party in Canada next month if the ban is not lifted because the Falconets team won’t be able to participate in this year’s edition of the U- 20 Women’s World Cup.
Never miss a moment! Get the stories shaping Nigeria, delivered straight to your phone. Follow Peoplesdaily Newspaper on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive reports, and the headlines everyone will be talking about, before anyone else.
