• Bans former board members for five years
• Oshodi: ‘I am not interested; I don’t recognise caretaker committee’

The caretaker committee set up by the National Sports Commission (NSC) “to bring sanity’” to the Nigerian Judo Federation (NSC), has disqualified members of the former board of the federation, including their president, Dr Musa Oshodi, from vying for positions into the board at the forthcoming electoral congress of the federation.

The committee also proposed Oshodi and members of his dissolved board’s suspension from every activities of the federation for five years.

In a letter addressed to the members of the former board and copied to all state judo associations, athletes, coaches, referees, technical officials and stakeholders of the Nigeria Judo Federation, the committee said that it took the decision based on the powers conferred on it by the NSC.

In the notification letter entitled “Notice of Electoral Disqualification and Disciplinary Sanctions Against Former Board Members,” and signed by its chairman, Sherif Hammed, the interim body said; “The Caretaker Committee of the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF), acting pursuant to the mandate conferred by the National Sports Commission (NSC), and subject to the applicable provisions of the NJF Statutes, the NSC Act 2023, the National Sports Federations Code of Governance and other relevant regulations, hereby issues this notice concerning the eligibility of members of the former NJF Board led by Dr. Musa Oshodi to participate in the forthcoming elective General Assembly.

“Following a review of the governance issues and alleged infractions arising during the tenure of the former board, the Caretaker Committee considers it necessary to address matters relating to regulatory compliance, institutional accountability, integrity and the proper administration of Nigerian judo.”

It listed those affected by the sanctions to include the former president, the former first and second vice presidents, the six former geopolitical zonal representatives, the former athletes’ representative and the former technical representative.

The caretaker committee said that the eligibility of each affected person shall be determined in accordance with the applicable statutes, electoral regulations and any valid disciplinary decisions.

It added that the grounds for review and proposed disciplinary action include the alleged non-compliance with NSC governance regulations, saying that the “former board’s reported actions and public positions raise questions concerning compliance with the regulatory framework governing National Sports Federations in Nigeria.

“The administration of the NJF must comply with applicable Nigerian laws, the NSC’s lawful directives, the National Sports Federations Code of Governance and the Federation’s own constitution and statutes. No sports federation may operate outside the framework of applicable national law.

“Any established breach must be addressed through the appropriate procedures and by the authority legally empowered to impose the relevant sanction.”

It noted that the principle of autonomy in international sport does not, in itself, exempt a national sports federation from applicable national legislation or lawful regulatory oversight, adding: “The governance of the NJF must recognise the respective responsibilities of the International Judo Federation (IJF), the African Judo Union, the Nigeria Olympic Committee and the National Sports Commission within their applicable jurisdictions.”

The caretaker committee emphasised that its mandate is transitional and institutional, adding that its objective is to restore confidence, protect the interests of athletes and other practitioners, strengthen governance and facilitate the emergence of a duly elected NJF board.

Reacting to the committee’s decision yesterday, former NJF President, Dr Oshodi, said: “The committee has every right to its own personal perception. But as far as I am concerned, I have already said that I do not recognise the Caretaker Committee and I cannot even do anything under it.

“I will not even be part of their election; so, they are just wasting their time. Whatever they like, let them go ahead and do.”

He accused the National Sports Commission of dictating the actions of the caretaker committee, adding, “I have decided to step aside because it’s getting too much. The insult, the embarrassment, the nonsense is getting too much.

“That does not mean I’m leaving judo; I will continue to support the sport within my capacity. But I’m not going to be part of the election.”