The Chairman of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Chief Tonobok Okowa, has dismissed a petition by a few of his board members interesting to the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) and the Unbiased Corrupt Practices and different associated crimes Fee (ICPC ). ), to scrutinize the federation's funds.
Okowa stated it was laughable that his vice presidents, Tafida Gadzama, Rosa Collins and three others might accuse the AFN board of misappropriating funds primarily based on the report of the AFN Audit Committee, which claimed to have uncovered violations introduced.
Okowa stated there was nothing to cover, and that when any of the nation's investigating businesses had been referred to as, the books can be opened.
He stated the one agenda of the members was to turn out to be hindrances for the event of athletics.
The AFN held its board assembly on January 6, 2024, the place some points affecting the federation, together with the audit committee experiences, had been examined. At that assembly, which was attended by 9 members, the AFN board dissolved its committees after two years. The board additionally refused to heed a particular suggestion from the Fee on Audit, which labeled the varied funds lent to the federation by the President, Okowa, as “donations.”
The board unanimously agreed that Chief Okowa ought to get his a reimbursement, in addition to all different members who had lent cash to the Federation.
Okowa acknowledged that the members are mischievously making an attempt to create a disaster within the AFN as their egocentric agenda isn’t materializing.
“I believe these individuals are simply on the lookout for a option to give us (AFN) unhealthy names to most people. In the beginning, because the Chairman of the AFN, I’ve the ability to approve funds for the federation to implement its varied program of actions,” Okowa stated.
“Early final 12 months, the AFN struggled to boost cash to prepare its competitions. The identical Gadzama led two different board members to my home in Abuja the place he begged that I ought to borrow the AFN cash to prepare the varied components of the Golden League and another occasions and that I ought to get my a reimbursement as quickly as funds had been obtainable . can be found.
“Earlier than they left my home, I promised that I’d see what I can do in that regard. However I additionally begged Gadzama and the opposite board members to additionally discover a option to assist the federation with cash.
“Gadzama stated that he had no cash at the moment and that I ought to search for a option to save the AFN.
“Then the nation was making ready for the overall elections, and as President of the AFN I considered the disgrace that may come up if we failed to prepare the varied Golden Leagues to organize the athletes for the varied final 12 months's worldwide competitions. By then, our Advertising Committee was already engaged on a sponsorship take care of a financial institution.
“I needed to elevate funds for the Golden Leagues in Kaduna, Abuja, Benin Metropolis and Uyo in addition to another occasions. So when cash was obtainable, the secretariat refunded a few of my cash. Thus far not all the cash had been refunded to me. So the place did I do one thing improper? “Gadzama, Rosa Collins and co have circled and stated that the cash I lent to the AFN to prepare these matches had been 'donations'. The board checked out it and determined what they’re saying is improper.”
Additionally talking on the petition by the feuding members, one other AFN board member stated all these concerned within the battle had been waging a vengeful struggle over the refusal of Okowa and the Secretariat to yield to sure calls for made by them. “That was the origin of the issue. They suppose they will idiot the EFCC, ICPC and Nigerians,” the AFN member stated.
