By The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been called to the Federal High Court in Abuja over allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement within the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN). The case was triggered by a petition filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Athletics and Other Sports Development Initiative, urging the EFCC to investigate top AFN officials.
The petition targets AFN President Tonobok Okowa, former Secretary-General Rita Mosindi, and Bukola Olopade, the former MD of Nilayo Sports Management Limited, now the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC). The plaintiffs claim these individuals are involved in financial wrongdoing and have failed to adhere to the EFCC’s investigative obligations.
According to the writ of summons, the petitioners argue that the EFCC is legally bound by sections 6(b) and 6(h) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, to investigate allegations of financial crimes. They assert that the EFCC’s lack of action since submitting their petition on April 15, 2024, is a failure of its statutory duties, and they are seeking the court’s intervention to compel an investigation.
The plaintiffs are also requesting the court to suspend Okowa from his position as AFN President during the investigation. They have called for Olopade to temporarily step down from his role at the NSC until the EFCC concludes its inquiry into the alleged misconduct.
Central to the allegations is a ₦70 million payment made to the AFN despite an existing ₦100 million annual sponsorship agreement with Premium Trust Bank. The plaintiffs argue that the funds should have been deposited into a designated account, and that Olopade received a commission from this amount. They also claim there were irregularities in how the money was managed, raising suspicions of corruption.
Further concerns involve a ₦40 million “loan” allegedly paid by Okowa to himself, which the AFN’s Audit Report found lacked proper documentation. The loan was dispensed before any formal agreement was signed, suggesting potential financial impropriety. The plaintiffs are demanding transparency regarding the handling of the funds and the bank account into which the ₦70 million was deposited, as the designated Special Bank Account had not been activated at the time.
