The Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Concepts has dragged World Football governing body (FIFA), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and Sports Facilities Limited, Monimichelle, to a High Court in Abuja over the ‘abandonment’ of the Mini Sports Stadium project in Ugborodo, Delta State.

The body, led by Prince Harrison Jalla, a stakeholder in Nigerian football, and chairman, board of trustees of Professional Footballer Association of Nigeria (PFAN), says the abandonment of the Mini Sports Stadium project in Delta State after the receipt of 90 percent of the contract sum is illegal, a breach of contract, and a gross mismanagement of public funds.

“The subject matter of the suit is FIFA’s alleged complicity in the misappropriation and embezzlement of its grants to Nigeria since 2014,” the body said in a statement made available to The Guardian on Friday.
Apart from his position in PFAN, which is one of the five statutory members of the NFF, Jalla is a Prince of Ugborodo New Town in Warri South-West LGA, Delta State, Nigeria.

The advocacy group, he said, is dedicated to transparency, accountability, good governance and the reform and protection of football administration in Nigeria.

In Suit No: M/4462/2062, the plaintiffs are seeking 12 reliefs concerning the FIFA Forward Development Project funds, past World Cup funds, and other grants to Nigeria. The case has been assigned to Court 60 of the FCT High Court, Jabi. No date has been fixed for hearing.

The statement reads: “You are hereby commanded that within thirty (30) days after service of this writ on you, inclusive of the day of such service, you do cause appearance to be entered for you in an action at the suit of the above-named Claimants.

“Take notice that default of your so doing, the Claimant may proceed therein and judgment may be given in your absence.

“Take further notice that parties shall maintain status quo.

“This writ is to be served within three Calendar months from the date hereof or if renewed, within three calendar month from the date of last renewal, including the day of such service and not afterwards.

“The Defendants may enter appearance personally or by Legal Practitioner(s) either by handing in the appropriate forms, duly completed at the Registry of the High Court of Justice of the Delta State in the Judicial Division in which this action is brought or by sending them to the Registrar by registered post.”

The statement further said: “A declaration that the 1st Defendant (FIFA) was negligent in its oversight duty to ensure that the $1.1 million released to the 2nd defendant (NFF) was utilized for its intended purpose.

“A Declaration that the failure of the 1st defendant (FIFA) to monitor the flow of funds into the Zenith Bank account No;5070407456 belonging to Jer Trade Consulting S.A.) constitutes a breach of the FIFA Governance Regulations.

“A declaration that 1st defendant’s (FIFA) continued funding of the 2nd defendant’s (NFF) despite these documented discrepancies constitutes a violation of its own Governance Regulations and the FIFA Forward 3.0 ethics guidelines.

“An Order of specific performance compelling the 3rd Defendant (Monimichelle Sports) to return to the site and complete the project within 30 days.

“An Order for mandatory injunction compelling 1st defendant (FIFA) to produce the ‘Independent Audit Reports’ for the FIFA World Cup 2014 and 2018 grants to the 2nd defendant (NFF).

“An order of restitution or for refund of all diverted sums (specifically the $650,000 paid to Jer Trade Consulting S.A.) to a supervised trust account for Nigerian football development.

“An order of restitution or for refund of the sum of about $25 Million in misappropriated or missing grants to be placed in a court-supervised trust for the benefit of Nigerian footballers and grassroots development.

“In the alternative, an order for the recovery and refund of the sum of $1.1million (or the 90 percent equivalent already paid) by the 2nd and 3rd Defendants to the appropriate coffers for the benefit of the community.”

Jalla is claiming the sum of N500million as general damage for the loss of land use and the disappointment of the community’s legitimate expectations, and another N100million against the 2nd Defendant (NFF) for corruption and financial mismanagement.