Alleged diversion of Funds: Top NFF officials shun presidential panel 

Some top members of the Nigeria Football Federation executive committee who were supposed to appear before the Special Presidential Investigation Panel on Tuesday have failed to show up.

NFF first vice president, Seyi Akinwunmi with six other officials including staff of the federation failed to honour the invitation after receiving the letter duly signed by Tahir Usman, the Director of Operations on behalf of the Chairman on October 24.

The other officials are NFF second vice president, Shehu Dikko, Ahmed Fresh Yusuf, NFF Finance Director, Mohammed Cheku, Alizor Chuks of the Marketing department and former NFF board members, Chris Green and Dele Ajayi.

The panel is investigating an alleged case of conspiracy and diversion of public funds in which the names of the above officers featured.

A source informed Sportinglife.ng that the affected officials pleaded for time as a result of preparations towards Super Eagles Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Africa on November 17.

“They wrote to the panel asking that they would report after the game. But whether the panel would accept their plea is what l cannot say,”” said the source. Our source could not confirm if Green and Ajayi turned up or not.

The officials were to report to the SPIP office along Kutigi street by 11am.

Read Also: NFF officers docked over alleged misappropriation of $9.5m FIFA grant

Recalled that three officials are currently standing trial before an Abuja Federal High Court for the alleged diversion of N3.4 billion from the Federation of International Football (FIFA) meant for the development of the game in the country.