Sani Lulu Abdullahi seeks reinstatement as NFF President after illegal impeachment

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Sani Lulu Abdullahi has filed a 1.5 billion against the Ministry of Youth and Sports over unlawful impeachment as NFF President.

The former Federal Capital Territory (FCT Abuja) Director of Sports is filing for his reinstatement as NFF President.

In a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/175/2023 filed by their lawyer, Mike Enahoro-Ebah, before Justice James Omotosho of a Federal High Court, Abuja, the plaintiffs sued the Sports Ministry, Ibrahim Bio, who was former Minister of Sports as first and second defendants.

Also joined in the suit are Dr Patrick Ekeji, former Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), and NFF as 3rd to 4th defendants respectively. In a writ, dated and filed Feb. 8, the duo sought nine claims.

Lulu and Uchegbulam prayed the court to declare that their arrest, detention, and prosecution in charge number: FHC/ABJ/CR/147/10 between the Federal Government of Nigeria vs. Alhaji Sani Lulu Abdullahi and three others, filed on September 30, 2010, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the instigation and coercive use of powers of the state by the 1st to 3rd defendants without reasonable or probable cause amounted to malicious prosecution and it was unlawful and unconstitutional.

Lulu and Uchegbulam were, on February 6, 2018, in a no-case submission filed, discharged, and acquitted by the Federal High Court.

Also, in appeal number: CA/A/161C/2016 between Sani Lulu Abdullahi vs. Federal Government; and appeal number: CA/A/162C/2016 between Mr. Amanze Uchegbulam vs. Federal Government, they were exonerated by the Court of Appeal, Abuja on June 8, 2018

The plaintiffs also sought a court declaration that by virtue of the provisions of Section 314 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, and Section 35 (6) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), they “are entitled to compensation from the defendants for false, spiteful allegations, arrest, detention and for malicious prosecution.”

They sought a declaration that they were unjustly impeached from office at the instigation of the NFF executive committee and congress on July 3, 2010, and ratified by the congress on July 9, 2010, on false criminal allegations.

Before becoming the NFF President in 2006, Lulu had served as FCT director of sports.

His NFF presidency was however short-lived as he was impeached by the NFF Governing Board in 2010. He is the proprietor and chief executive officer of Fosla Football Academy based in Karshi in the Federal Capital Territory.