The
Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission have
invited more officials of the Nigeria Football Federation for questioning over
the ongoing corruption investigation.
The ICPC is currently
investigating officials of the NFF over alleged corruption and “having more
than what they could have earned.”
In the first phase of the investigation, no fewer than 15 properties belonging
to NFF president, Amaju Pinnick; NFF Head Technical Committee, Ahmed Yusuf; NFF
second vice president, Shehu Dikko; and General Secretary, Mohammed Sanusi,
were seized.
Checks by The PUNCH on Tuesday
revealed that apart from Head, Women’s Football Unit, NFF, Ruth David, that was
earlier invited, NFF’s first vice president, Seyi Akinwunmi, was also invited.
Both David and Akinwunmi are
not part of the four officials whose properties were seized by the ICPC and no
case has been publicly established against them yet.
Sources in the ICPC told our
correspondent that the officials were invited to answer questions relating to
their involvement in the ongoing investigation of the football ruling body.
“Seizure of the properties is
the first phase of the investigation. Many officials of the NFF are under
investigation and this is another phase,” the source added.
When contacted, the
spokesperson of the ICPC, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa, refused to give details of the
ICPC’s officials questioning sessions with the newly invited NFF officials.
She also declined to comment
on the extent of the investigation, but confirmed that Akinwunmi was invited.
“Yes, he (Akinwunmi) was invited, but he came here last week. Investigation is
ongoing,” she added.
Asked when the NFF officials
may be arraigned, the ICPC spokesperson responded, “Our investigation is still
ongoing. These things have stages, when we get to that stage, we will act
accordingly.”