FG Withdraws Corruption Charges Against Pinnick, Others

Hamilton Nwosa
Writer

Ad

Oil Prices Rally as the Geopolitical Risk Premium Rebuilds

Light crude oil futures rose for the week, closing Thursday at $63.52, up $1.54 or +2.48% from last Friday’s close, as geopolitical tensions, bullish inventory data, and renewed demand optimism drove a shift in market sentiment. The recovery followed two weeks of selling pressure and marked a return of bullish interest as supply-side risks reentered…

Japan designates Kisarazu as official hometown for Nigerians

In a landmark move to boost cultural ties and economic cooperation, the Government of Japan has designated the city of Kisarazu as the official hometown for Nigerians wishing to live and work in the country. The announcement was made on Thursday on the sidelines of the Ninth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD9), held…

FG to raise N200bn through two bond offers at August auction

By Obinna Uballa The Debt Management Office (DMO) has announced plans to raise N200 billion through two Federal Government bond offerings scheduled for auction on August 25, 2025. According to a notice issued by the DMO on Friday, the subscription price for each bond is fixed at N1,000 per unit, with a minimum subscription requirement…

Ad

The Federal High Court, Abuja Division, on Tuesday, struck out the case of fraud brought against the President of the Nigerian Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick.

The court made the decision following an application by the federal government to withdraw its case against Mr Pinnick and others accused of mismanaging money gotten from the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA).

The federal government had in May arraigned Mr Pinnik and four others on 18 counts for allegedly diverting the sum, which was given to the NFF as fees for appearing at the last Russia 2018 World Cup.

The five officials, including the NFF Secretary, Sunusi Mohammed; the 1st Vice-President, Seyi Akinwumi; the 2nd Vice-President, Shehu Dikko and an Executive member, Yusuff Fresh, were accused of misappropriating N4 billion without the approval of the NFF.

They were also alleged to have contravened the law by failing to declare their assets.

They were arraigned by the Special Presidential Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SPIP).

The panel, then led by Okoi Obono-Obla, has since been dissolved by President Muhammadu Buhari. Mr Obono-Obla is himself wanted for allegedly forging a WAEC certificate.

“The prosecution withdrew the charges against the defendants. And so we asked that the case be withdrawn. The court invoked section 355 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to withdraw the charges,” a lawyer representing the NFF officials, Mohammed Katu, said on Tuesday.

The section quoted empowers the prosecution to withdraw its charges against the defendant where necessary.

This trial is, however, separate from that being conducted by the anti-graft agency, EFCC, against Mr Pinnick and others.

Details later…

Ad

X whatsapp