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The
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), yesterday, began the
interrogation of former Nigeria Premier League boss, Oyuiki Obaseki,
and five others alleged to have been involved in a sponsorship scam
totalling over three billion naira.

Femi Babafemi,
spokesperson for the agency, confirmed that the officials were in the
organisation’s office in Abuja to defend themselves of the allegation
levelled against them, and added that the accused officials have been
granted temporary reprieve via an administrative bail. “They were in
our office today on our invitation to come over to answer to
allegations levelled against them,” he said. “The investigations will
definitely continue but for now they have been given administrative
bail. They will be required to return for questioning once they are
needed.”

The other five
officials in the agency’s net are: the disputed chairman of the Nigeria
Premier League, Davidson Owumi; the league’s former executive
secretary, Al-Hassan Yakmut; the vice-chairman, Shehu Gusau; board
member, Joe Amene; and Total Promotions’ Chief Executive, Niyi Alonge.
It is alleged that the television rights for the league was sold for N3
billion between 2006 and 2010 to a South African company, but only
about N436 million was received by the league.

Hope for justice

Hyke Igbokwe, a
Lagos-based lawyer, who petitioned the anti-graft organization on the
above matter, said he is confident that the agency will do a thorough
job. “I know the EFCC as an investigative organisation that has done so
well in fighting out corruption and financial crimes in the country
even though we know that they are sometimes impeded by some societal
Nigerian factor,” he said. “This particular case affects the soul of
Nigerian football and I don’t expect anything less from the EFFC than a
thorough job to bring all the culprits to book. Just like they did to
people like Cecilia Ibru and brought them to book, they should also go
the whole hog.”

While the investigations continue, the league clubs are the worst
hit as they continue to grapple with lack of funds, a situation that
has seen most clubs owing their players several months’ wages.