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The alleged
involvement of Amos Adamu, a FIFA Executive Committee member and former
Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC) in cash for
vote scandal, has been described as shocking and disturbing.

Adamu and Reynald
Temarii, President of Oceania Confederation both members of FIFA’s
24-man executive committee, scheduled to vote on December 2 for the
nations hosting the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, were on Wednesday
provisionally suspended by FIFA, the football governing body after
their appearance before the ethics committee of the body. In a
statement signed by Olukayode Thomas, the Special Assistant (Media) to
Ibrahim Bio, Minister of Sports and Chairman of the NSC, the federal
government expressed dismay at the alleged involvement of Adamu in the
saga. In the statement, Thomas noted that while the government awaits
the outcome of the investigation by FIFA into the allegations, it has
again re-emphasized its zero tolerance for corruption at all levels.
“The alleged involvement of Dr Adamu in the cash for vote scandal is
shocking and disturbing and has negative consequences for Nigeria’s
image,” he stated. “The anti-corruption agencies are monitoring the
outcome of the investigation and will act at the appropriate time.”

‘I am innocent’

Meanwhile, Adamu
has stated he was innocent of the allegations against him. In a
statement released yesterday he said: “Allegations were made against me
by a British newspaper on 17th October 2010 which prompted a FIFA
ethics committee meeting yesterday which concluded I should be
provisionally suspended from my FIFA duties. Whilst I wholly refute all
allegations made, I fully support the inquiry since it is important
that these claims are thoroughly investigated. Only by doing this will
FIFA – and the wider football community – be able to trust that its
appointed representatives are beyond reproach. I have yet to present my
position to those investigating this matter; however I am confident
that my actions, the full and true extent of which were not detailed in
the story published, will demonstrate not only my innocence and
integrity, but also my commitment to football and to FIFA. Since
investigations are not yet complete, it would be inappropriate for me
to comment further and I will not do so until FIFA’s final conclusion
is made public.”

Soldiering on

Former Nigeria
international, Emeka Ezeugo, has thrown his weight behind Adamu, the
president of the West African Football Union (WAFU), who was
provisionally suspended along with five others pending the conclusion
of investigations by FIFA after he allegedly demanded for money from a
team of undercover reporters posing as lobbyists for the United States
of America’s World Cup bid. Adamu and the other suspended officials now
have to prepare their defence ahead of the next meeting of FIFA’s
ethics committee which meets in mid-November to take a final decision
on the case ahead of the World Cup vote on December 2. Ezeugo insists
that the former director general of the National Sports Commission
should “soldier on”. “I’m actually surprised about the whole thing,” he
said. “It is quite unfortunate how he got himself into this mess. But
it’s at times like this that you get to know those who care about you.
But irrespective of the suspension hanging on his head at the moment I
don’t think it’s entirely over for him as he hasn’t yet been found
guilty.”