NFF Factional President Giwa Claims He Was Not Arrested

Ambassador Chris Giwa today in Abuja resumed office at the Glass House. This followed the order of the Federal High Court Jos which on the 8th of April returned him back to office sacking by extension of a previous nullification order on the 30th September 2016 election that produced Amaju Pinnick.

Giwa’s resumption was preceded by a bailiff from the court that officially served the court ruling from the Federal High Court Jos on the former General Secretary, Dr Mohammed Sanusi.

Giwa walked into the Zone 7 premises of the NFF around 4pm despite the presence of a police van that was meant to keep the peace.

As soon as news of his arrival in the secretariat spread like wild fire, there was a heavy surge of people on the premises.

This forced a combined team of the Police and the officers of the Federal Road Safety Commission (who share premises with the NFF) to lock the gate.

A reinforcement of policemen led by the Divisional Police Officer in charge of the area came in to rescue him out of the premises.

One of the policemen told journalists, “we had information that he was to be attacked by some folks. If any such thing happens it will amount to new troubles for us. So, we had to move in quickly and whisk him away until we were sure that the situation is safe. He was never arrested.”

However, when he arrived, Giwa went round all the offices where staffers warmly welcomed him. He spent about 30 minutes in the building. Immediately after, he granted short interview that spanned about 10 minutes to the media.

As he was about to leave, the reinforcement had not arrived. The police held on till the team of policemen from the Divisional Headquarters, Wuse Zone 3 came and they drove in his car.

When he was eventually allowed to go after having an almost one hour meeting with the leadership of the police, he was accosted by journalists who asked him “why were you arrested as news in the country is that you were arrested” he retorted with a laughter and composed mien and said: “I was never arrested”

He added, “we are resuming fully from Monday at the Glass House. We have a court order from the 8th April that gave us the mandate to be here. We only took caution to plan our activities and also inform all the necessary institutions of state about the decision of the court. That explains why we delayed resuming. With our resumption today, we have started work.

By Thursday, we will inaugurate the Normalisation committee chairmen nominated from the states. For instance, on Tuesday, the Organising and Disciplinary committee will be sitting over issues in the game. We are here to stay.”

Igho Kingsley