The president of Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, says the country’s football governing body is focused on doing its best for the development of the sport following a court victory for him and some other board members last week, ending a tough period of trials over allegations of corruption, Completesports.com reports.
Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu on Tuesday last week dismissed all 16-count corruption charges filed by the defunct Special Presidential Investigation Panel (SPIP) led by Okon Obono-Obla against Pinnick, Seyi Akinwunmi (NFF 1st Vice President), Shehu Dikko (2nd Vice President), Mohammed Sanusi (General Secretary) and Ahmed Yusuf (Executive Committee member). The judge acquitted the NFF chieftains after not finding them guilty of the charges.
Pinnck spoke on Channels Television on Monday. And below are the excerpts as tweeted by the NFF.
On the recent Court Victory
“This is not a personal victory for me and my other board members. It is victory for all of Nigerian football. We have always maintained our innocence at the NFF and laid our books bare for everyone to see.”
On NFF’s Accountability
“We have always published our accounts using some of the best auditing firms in the world. I am happy those toxic moments are over and now it is time to pull and work together, not pull apart.
On Footalball Talent Development
“The ZenithBank /Future Eagles project at U13 and U15 levels, which we must continue to improve. Let’s not also forget that these competitions are mainly developmental…so it’s football, we win some and lose some.”
On Government Involvement in Nigerian Football
“The Government is a key partner of Nigerian football and our working relationship with them must be very cordial if we want to make progress.”
