By Albert Akota
Embattled Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) led by Alhaji Aminu Maigari has challenged the federal government to go ahead and constitute a probe panel to look into how they spent monies given to them since they came into office three years ago.
In recent times, the Maigari-led board has been steadily accused of embezzling funds at various times since they came on board.
The funds which the embattled NFF members are meant to account for include the N150 million monthly Federal Government subvention from January 2013, amounting to N2.850 billion, and another N850 million grant released by the Federal Government for the preparation and participation of the Super Eagles in the first round of matches for World Cup, Brazil 2014.
The Minister of Sports and Chairman National Sports Commission (NSC) Dr Tammy Danagogo had also demanded that the board account for $1.5 million (about N240m) FIFA grant it received for the preparation of Super Eagles for the World Cup. They were also expected to provide details of how they spent the $14 million from FIFA for Super Eagles’ participation in the second round of the World Cup.
Briefing newsmen after a protracted meeting which began in the hours of yesterday, Chairman Media and Publicity Committee of the NFF, Chief Emeka Inyama however absolved the board of any allegation while asking the presidency to proceed with their probe.
According to him “we just came together to discuss after the court order restated us to office and we had a fruitful deliberation.
“We encourage the government to go ahead with the probe panel of how we spent the money given to us. During our deliberation, we discussed all issues and agreed on how to move Nigerian football forward.”
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