Keyamo writes IG, seeks Giwa’s arrest

Festus Keyamo, lawyer to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), has written to the inspector-general of police seeking the arrest and prosecution of Chris Giwa.

Giwa, citing a Jos court order, had sought to take over the secretariat of the NFF, announcing new appointments and the dissolution of committees and state excos.

However, Keyamo, in a petition to Solomon Arase, the IG, attached copies of the various court pronouncements on the crisis rocking the football house.

He wrote: “We are solicitors to the FIFA-recognised Nigerian Football Federation led by Amaju Pinnick (hereinafter referred to as ‘our client’) and on whose instructions we write you this letter.

“In the last few days, one Chris Giwa has threatened to take over the occupation of the Headquarters of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), citing a non-existent court order in that respect. The said Chris Giwa has indeed taken steps to carry out that threat by bringing thugs and physically attempting to force his way into the Headquarters of the NFF on Friday, April 8, 2016.

“Kindly note that, THERE IS NO COURT ORDER ANYWHERE mandating the said Chris Giwa to take over any office or duties of the NFF. In a brazen and blatant disregard for the rule of law and pending court orders, the said Chris Giwa has gone on air to announce the purported dissolution of various Committees and the State Executive Committees set up by the NFF.

“The combined effect of the foregoing actions of Chris Giwa is the creation of crises and instability in Nigerian football management which has led to the intervention by FIFA. In its intervention, FIFA declared Chris Giwa assertion as a false alarm and directed Chris Giwa to desist from such actions. Despite FIFA’s intervention, the said Chris Giwa has continued in his actions.

“Owing to the sensitive nature of football administration in Nigeria, physical and violent altercations are bound to occur if Chris Giwa is permitted to continue overheating the polity. We are, therefore, by this petition urging you to arrest and prosecute Chris Giwa for inciting disturbances.

“Kindly find attached the Order of Court setting aside all orders nullifying the election of Amaju Pinnick as President of the NFF which the Federal High Court reaffirmed and revived on 8th April, 2016.

“We expect that you will act swiftly and decisively in the national interest.”

FIFA has threatened to suspend Nigeria again if Giwa becomes president though a court order.