A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court sitting n Maitama has adjourned the case of the alleged diversion of $9.5 million and N1.3 million FIFA grant meant for football development.
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lawyer , Mr. Steve Odiase, asked the court to adjourn the case to April 30 to enable the anti-graft agency amend the charges.
The defendants , Christopher Andekin, Rajan Zaka,and Fadanari Mamza were dragged to the FCT court by the EFCC on five-count charge bordering on financial conspiracy, breach of trust and misappropriation.
Odiase, had told the court that the three defendants conspired between January 8 and January 26, 2015, to commit the said offences contrary to Section 97 of Penal Code.
Odiase alleged that Andekin was entrusted with the money meant for the development of football in Nigeria from the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).
He said that Andekin, allegedly diverted N1.3 million from the NFF domiciliary account with Zenith Bank, an act that is contrary to section 311 of the Penal Code.
He further alleged that Zaka on his part, fraudulently diverted $7.2 million grant from FIFA for development of football in Nigeria while Mamza diverted $2.3 million.
The defendants all pleaded not guilty to the charges, and their counsel, Mr Arinze Egbo applied for their bail.
The Judge, Justice Peter Affen upheld the administrative bail granted to them earlier by the EFCC.
The grant ($9.5m) was the 2014 World Cup fund paid by FIFA to the NFF for the development of grassroots football across the country, but the present NFF Board in 2015 was alleged to have squandered the funds.