Praises greeted the decision of the appeal committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) when they dismissed the appeal of Kano Pillars against the activation of a three point deduction by the Organising and Disciplinary committee of the NFF.
However a paragraph in the press statement made public by the appeal committee in delivering their judgement made the senior editor of OwnGoalNigeria.com Mohammed Mowiz Suleiman to dig deep as it contents suggest some political undertone and possibly clash of ego.
The paragraph read thus: “On the League Management Company’s letter dated 14th July, 2022, addressed to the General Secretary, Nigeria Football Federation, having found that the letter is contemptuous, League Management Company (LMC) is hereby barred from sending such to the Nigeria Football Federation.
“League Management Company has been cautioned several times as the letter was trying to sway the decision of the NFF Appeals Committee.”
We later found out that what led to the above statement painting the LMC in bad light is nothing but a simple and standard procedure, but it didn’t sit well with the appeal committee as it is against their quest to subvert justice.
LMC were simply working by the rules/regulations and simply informed the Appeal Commitee as an invited party to the meeting and whose rules/decision is subject of the appeal on what the rules says and basis of the decisions taken by LMC , as LMC is the ones operating the NPFL rules and framework and as such the party statutorily empowered to apply the rules (not any third party) and if a party is not satisfied can proceed to request to be heard by a commission, which is the disciplinary committee and if not satisfied can appeal to the appeal body.
And the function of most appeal bodies is to simply Look and determine based on the rules if LMC has applied the rules properly or not but have no power to go and start introducing new issues or making pronouncements on matters not part of the appeal before it, or start making decisions not backed by any rule within the NPFL Framework and Rules. Which is what the appeal committee led by the controversial Eddy Mark ended up doing. More on him later.
Attached is the letter LMC responded to Dakkada when they wrote to demand the match should have been 1-1 not 1-0.
After the response by LMC, Dakkada decided to protest to Disciplinary Committee (DC) that they don’t agree to the LMC position and that match should be 1-1.
Now DC sat and upheld LMC’s position on the match as was 1-0 and even banned the match officials for bringing the game to disrepute with their attempt to change the official match reports.
However surprisingly and out of the blues the DC went beyond the matter before them to now say on account of Dakkada complaints to the DC, that it’s Camera was destroyed during the Pillars match, they are activating the suspended 3 points deduction sentence LMC imposed on Kano Pillars arising from the incidents that happened during their previous match with Katsina Utd .
As expected LMC promptly contented to informed the DC that they have no power to decide for LMC and issue of suspended points deduction is not what is before the committee, and Infact LMC has no records in the match reports between Kano Pillars and Dakkada, that Dakkada‘s camera was destroyed and even if it’s correct how could destruction of a camera amount to similar breach to what happened between Pillars and Katsina United to warrant any activation of points deduction against Pillars.
Pillars appealed the DC decision to the Appeal Committee including providing video evidence to prove that Dakkada’s camera was never broken or damaged anywhere during or after the match, and also contends that issue of damaged camera is never a similar breach as that which happened during the Pillars vs Katsina match to warrant any activation of points deduction.
Pillars submitted video evidence to the Appeal Committee to prove that the Dakkada’s camera was very intact after the game and there was no any fight/attack or breakages.
In the video Dakkada players came and asked their camera man to follow them to the dressing room with his camera well intact and with him as they head into the dressing room together at full time.
The entire decision of the Disciplinary Commitee to warrant deduction of points against Pillars was a need on the claim of Dakkada that their camera was destroyed but the video evidence showed otherwise.
The entire crux of activating the suspended 3 points deduction against Pillars is the claim of destruction of Dakkada’s camera, which was never the subject of the matter before the NFF DC for determination and the stated as follows:
5. The Committee having found that Kano Pillars FC officials destroyed camera (Sony HD Full HD 1920×1080) belonging to Dakkada Int’l FC and lost valuables belonging to Uchenna Iyioke hereby activates the three (3) points suspended sentence contained in the summary jurisdiction of the League Management Company between Kano Pillars FC and Katsina United FC in matchday 23 fixtures dated the 17th day of April, 2022. Particularly paragraph 5(k) to wit: “In the event of any further similar breach of the League Rules, Kano Pillars FC shall forfeit three (3) points from the points accruing to the club in addition to any other sanctions that may be deemed appropriate”.
So from above the NFF DC assumed responsibility of and turns itself to LMC by activating a suspended 3 points deduction previously imposed on Kano Pillars by the LMC under a different circumstances and which would be activated by LMC if certain SIMILAR Breach happens as determine by the LMC.
So Under which powers does NFF DC come to activate a decision on behalf of LMC ?
The NFF DC schedule is simply to have an independent review if LMC has taken the decision and someone felt not satisfied and therefore requested for a review by an independent commission and the DC is invited to look at it.
But in this case the DC went beyond its remit and took a decision on behalf of LMC which is totally wrong and outside their jurisdiction. Now Pillars duly appealed this particular decision of the NFF DC to the Appeal commitee.
PIllars also issued a public statement to state their appeal and on what basis they are appealing, so everything is in the public domain.
*Kano Pillars FC Position on Decision of the NFF Disciplinary Committee meeting of 8th July 2022*
Kano Pillars FC have noted the decision of the Nigeria Football Federation DC meeting of 8th July 2022 and wishes to comment as follows:
a) Kano Pillars welcome and accept the Decision of the Nigeria football Federation DC in uphelding the results and final outcomes of the matches played between Kano Pillars Fc vs Katsina Utd Fc and Kano Pillars Fc vs Dakkada int’l Fc of Uyo which were the ONLY subject matters of the appeals concerning Pillars FC before the Committee. This decisions of the Committee are clearly in accordance to the NPFL Rules and Framework and other international football rules and regulations (IFAB Laws of the game).
b) However, Kano Pillars absolutely REJECT the decision of the Committee to impose/activate a suspended 3 point deduction on our club over an issue/matter (alleged/purported destruction of Dakkada int’l FC Camera) which was never the Subject of the Appeal before the NFF DC and has no correlation/similarity to the suspended 3 point deduction imposed on Kano Pillars FC after the Katsina Utd FC match unfortunate incidents at Sani Abacha Stadium Kofar in Kano on April 16th 2022. Therefore, Kano Pillars FC have APPEALED this particular decision to the Nigeria Football Federation Appeal Committee.
c) The Kano Pillars basis of appealing this decision of 3 points deduction includes:
1. Kano Pillars FC vs Dakkada int’l Fc Match was played strictly under closed doors with no fan with only the two teams, FA officials and some media present and there was no any break of law and order or fans disruption in the stadium, barring the isolated incident involving the Former Kano Pillars FC Chairman Alhaji Surajo Shaaibu Yahaya Jambul and AR1.
2. Kano Pillars are not aware of any damage of Camera from Dakkada Int’l FC and there was no any report to the Match Officials or LMC during or after the match that Pillars FC have been put on notice for regarding any damaged camera of Dakkada int’l FC.
3. Indeed the summary jurisdiction dated June 25, 2022 issued by the LMC after the Pillars match with Dakkada and in consideration of the reports of the League Management Company situation room and official match reports submitted by the Match Officials had no mention of any damage of Camera from Dakkada FC and Pillars FC were never charged with any such breach.
5. Indeed it was this summary jurisdiction of June 25, 2022 and specifically the upholding of the match result at 1-0 in accordance to the official match reports and relevant football regulations that was the subject of the appeal before the NFF DC. Therefore, the Nigeria Football Federation Disciplinary Committee having resolved this appeal it is clearly Ultra-vires for the Committee to now introduce a fresh matter (the alleged/purported destruction of Dakkada camera) which issue was never ever reported, and was never in the official match reports nor any Proof anywhere to show that Dakkada Camara was ever destroyed during the match in Kano and went ahead to make a decision and sanction Pillars FC.
6. One wonders how could Dakkada Int’l FC be able to get the video of the match they submitted to League Management Company and to even issue highlights of the match for the public immediately after the match if their claims of their camera taking away, the memory card destroyed and then returned is correct hence it’s absolutely baffling for the NFF DC to even admit this claims talkless of passing a judgement.
7. Fundamentally, the Nigeria Football Federation Disciplinary Committee ruling is now activating the suspended 3 points deduction imposed on Pillars FC after the incident during the Kano Pillars FC vs Katsina United FC match held on April 16th 2022 should Kano Pillars Fc commit any further SIMILAR breach of the Nigeria Professional football league frameworks and regulations. The operative word here based on the NPFL rules is SIMILAR breaches as that which occurred during the Pillars Fc vs Katsina United FC match to which pillars Fc were sanctioned appropriately in the first instance.
8. From the LMC summary jurisdiction on the Pillars FC Vs Katsina United Fc match dated 17th July 2022 the particular breaches Pillars FC were sanctioned from the Katsina match unfortunate incidence which pillars were docked 3 points and also put on another suspended 3 points should any Similar breach occurred during the seasons, are: throwing of objects into the pitch by the fans; pitch encroachment by the fans leading to match abandonment; failure to provide adequate and effective security, failure to restrict unauthorized persons
Having access to restricted areas in the Stadium; some Kano Pillars FC unpatriotic supporters/fans vandalizing Katsina United FC bus. Therefore one wonders how and in what form is the alleged/purported destruction of the Dakkada Int’l FC camera (Which never happened in the first place) amount to SIMILAR breaches as those from the Kano Pillars Fc vs Katsina United FC Match as outlined in summary jurisdiction of April 17th 2022 to warrant the Nigeria Football Federation Disciplinary Committee activating the suspended 3 points deduction on Kano Pillars FC
9. This clearly is an error/oversight by the Committee and a travesty of justice. therefore, Kano Pillars FC rejects this Decision of activating the 3 points deduction and has appealed to the Nigeria Football Federation Appeal Committee.
10. Meanwhile the acting Chairman Kano Pillars Fc, Alhaji Ibrahim Galadima has called for calm from all supporters of the club and for everyone to remain law abiding as this matter is being pursued legally to its logical conclusion. He assured that he will continue to do everything to protect the integrity of Kano Pillars FC and indeed the Nigeria Professional football league.
Thanks.
Malikawa
M.O
Kano Pillars FC
Now at the Appeal commitee sitting. Pillars clearly debunked damaging any camera and challenged the authority of the NFF DC to even make the ruling on the first place and most importantly, even Dakkada admitted truly that their camera was never destroyed but the memory card was tempered with. Meaning Pillars have succeeded in their appeal against the NFF DC decision and hoping it will be reversed…
Additionally the LMC submission to the Appeal Committee was vey explicit and straight to the point based on the rule books and it clearly shows that the NFF DC has erred and has no powers to even make the decision in then first placed and the decision still was wrong in itself.
Now the Appeal commitee clearly came with an agenda which is to sink Pillars from all indications. So the first thing the chairman did was to harassed the LMC compliance lawyer and demanded he withdrew the LMC submission.
The LMC lawyer simply declined and told him that it’s NPFL matter arising out of LMC’s decision based on the NPFL Rules and framework that is being decided and LMC as body’s in charge of NPFL was duly invited to submit a position, which it did formally and in time to enable the members go through.
Thus he can’t withdraw it, as it’s LMC statutory responsibility to be part of the appeal to be heard to clarify its position and after heated arguments the Appeal Chairman now ask the LMC lawyer to leave saying he has been discharged.
Reason is to not admit the LMC position or allow it to be discuss as doing this means they can’t do what they wanted as it will be difficult to go against the clear legal position provided by LMC.
So the LMC was actually not heard to explain it’s position and they only discuss with Pilllars and Dakkada reps. But it’s the LMC’s decision that is the subject of the appeal and the basis is the application of the NPFL framework and rules under the powers and management of LMC so how could LMC not be heard nor it’s written submission conveying its position not be considered ?
And finally when the appeal commitee realized the issues of Dakkada damaged camera can’t hold water as it has been proven to be false, they instead of upholding the Pillars appeal they abandoned that matter completely and went to say Pillars did not appeal the findings that Pillars chairman assault the referee so appeal fails ??
REALLY ? is that part of the appeal or is that even part of the decision of the NFF DC ? Let’s now focus on the person of the chairman of the appeal committee Eddy Mark.
In June last year, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike approved the appointment of the former General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Ibrahim Eddy Mark as the Executive Director of the State Bureau for Public/Private Partnership. That automatically placed him on the payroll of the state.
Yet same Mark sat on the appeal against Rivers state owned Rivers United in their game last season against Jigawa United. He granted them their prayers as expected. Who dare go against his employers? Certainly not Mark as he openly refused to step aside to avoid conflict of interest. A whole new level of impunity.
Easy to say his reward was a place on the plane for all Rivers United continental games made possible by his decision. As early as last week he was fully dressed in all kits of Rivers United and celebrated wildly when they were crowned champions.
So how is a man so partisan occupying a very sensitive position in Nigeria football? You give me answers.
