The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is facing a lawsuit for refusing to investigate allegations of misappropriation and corruption within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN).
The Incorporated Trustees of Athletics and Other Sports Development Initiative, a non-governmental organization, filed the petition against AFN President Tonobok Okowa, former Secretary General Rita Mosindi, and National Sports Commission Director General Bukola Olopade.
The petition alleges corrupt practices, including misappropriation of funds. Specifically, it questions the payment of N70 million to AFN despite a N100 million annual contractual agreement with Premium Trust Bank.
The agreement stipulates that sponsorship money should be deposited into a special account, with a N30 million yearly commission payable to Olopade’s company, Nilayo Sports Management Company.
The plaintiff argues that the EFCC has a mandatory duty to investigate all reported cases of economic and financial crimes, citing Section 6 (b) and (h) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.
The EFCC’s failure to conduct and conclude investigations on the petition dated April 15, 2024, is seen as a dereliction of its statutory duty. The plaintiff is seeking several orders from the Federal High Court.
– A declaration that the EFCC has a mandatory duty to investigate all reported cases of economic and financial crimes.
– An order compelling the EFCC to commence and conclude investigations on the petition.
– An order suspending Okowa and Mosindi from their offices during the investigation.
– An order compelling Olopade to step aside as Director General of the National Sports Commission during the investigation.
The EFCC has been actively pursuing corruption cases, securing over 3,400 convictions and recovering substantial assets, including N248.75 billion in monetary assets and $105.42 million in foreign currencies.
The EFCC’s chairman, Ola Olukoyede, has reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to fighting corruption.
Key figures involved include Tonobok Okowa, AFN President, Rita Mosindi, Former AFN Secretary General, Bukola Olopade, National Sports Commission Director General, Ahmed Shuaibu Gara Gombe, Chairman, Board of Trustees of Athletics and Other Sports Development Initiatives, and Ola Olukoyede, EFCC Chairman.
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