By Happiness Etukudo
A Federal High Court located in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, has mandated that hearing notices be delivered to the Nigeria Football Association, operating under the name and style of the Nigeria Football Federation, along with its President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau.
The plaintiffs in the case designated FHC/YNG/CS/70/2026 include a former Super Eagles player, Awala Jumbo, and a legal practitioner, Tekena Ediyekio. Justice Ayo Emmanuel issued the order on Wednesday when the case was brought up for mention.
During the proceedings on Wednesday, the parties were not present. Nevertheless, the counsel for the plaintiffs/applicants, Rumson Baribote, who was present in court, informed the judge that the plaintiffs had submitted an ex parte application dated March 13, 2026.
He requested the court’s permission to proceed with the application.
”My Lord, we have an ex parte application dated March 13, 2026, and we seek the leave of this honorable court to move it,” Baribote stated.
However, the court denied the request. In a brief ruling, Justice Emmanuel determined that the application would not be considered and instructed that the defendants be notified.
”Having declined to hear the ex parte application, it is hereby ordered that the defendants be put on notice,” the judge ruled.
The court then adjourned the case to March 31, 2026, for a hearing.
In an Originating Summons submitted to the court, the plaintiffs are requesting the court to annul the September 30, 2022, election of the Nigeria Football Federation and to prevent its current leadership from further managing Nigerian football.
The plaintiffs are seeking a determination from the court on whether the board led by Ibrahim Gusau can continue to present itself as the legitimately elected leadership of the NFF in light of a Court of Appeal ruling issued on January 19, 2024.
They specifically urged the court to address, among other matters, whether:
“Having regard to the Order of the Court of Appeal dated the 19th of January 2024, the 2nd Respondent-led Board can still parade themselves as the validly elected Board and continue with the management of the nation’s football.”
Ediyekio warned that the situation has created instability in the administration of football in Nigeria. He added that the actions of the defendants undermine “the rule of law, good governance, and the supremacy of the Constitution.”
The conflict originates from a lawsuit initiated in the Federal High Court located in Abuja, where Justice Inyang Ekwo, on September 15, 2022, instructed the involved parties to uphold the status quo and prohibited the execution of NFF elections until the case is resolved.
This directive was issued following an ex parte request made by various stakeholders, including Harrison Jalla, Chief Victor Baribote, Austin Popo, and the National Association of Nigerian Footballers.
Notwithstanding the court’s order, the plaintiffs in the current lawsuit argue that the NFF has proceeded with the election and continues to operate in contravention of existing court orders.
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