No panic over EFCC probe —NFF chief

THE Nigeria Football Federation, (NFF),  has said the body is not immune to probe and as such welcomes efforts made by the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to look into its books.

Investigators from the two agencies have in recent weeks shown interest in the books of the NFF and the

League Management Company (LMC) and almost half a dozen of football chiefs have been summoned to make explanations.

A football chief who pleaded anonymity told Tribunesport that there was no panic in the football house.

‘If the judiciary is under scrutiny, then what about football,? he asked.

He explained that the investigators acted based on letters and petitions received from football-loving Nigerians who wanted clarifications on spendings.

“In Nigeria, we have almost eight national teams which we fund on camping, trainings, medicals, kitting, apart from attending competitions.  But when there are issues with the Super Eagles, many Nigerians are bound to ask where are the grants from FIFA not minding the fact that we need to fund development programmes from the youth level. As far as we are concerned, it is no deal if our books are being looked to into,” he stated.

Senate President, Tribunesport recalls, demanded detailed auditing of sponsorship packages accrued to the NFF when Amaju Pinnick (NFF president) appeared before the National Assembly seeking bail out for a Russia 2018 World Cup qualifier in Ndola, Zambia early this month.

Nigeria eventually won the tie beating Zambia 2-1.