Nigeria: Why Amiesimaka Committee Can’t Entertain NFF Crisis -Ndanusa

David Ngobua

10 June 2011

Contrary to belief in some quarters that the committee inaugurated yesterday is Nigerian Court of Arbitration in Sports, NCAS, and should be allowed to handle the lingering crisis between the Nigeria Football Federation and the new Nigeria Football Association, NFA, the President of Nigeria Olympic Committee, NOC, Engineer Sani Ndanusa who inaugurated the body said it lacks authority to entertain the matter.

The committee to establish what is going to be Nigerian version of the International Court of Arbitration for Sports was inaugurated yesterday in Lagos, and is to be chaired by former international and legal luminary, Adokiye Amiesimaka with nine other lawyers as members.

The essence is to help in resolving sports related issues and also adjudicate in legal matters arising from conflicts between interested members of various sports federations.

Speaking to Trustsports yesterday on phone, the former minister of sports said what took place in Lagos was to put in place a committee of legal experts to prepare grounds for the setting up of an arbitration court.

He said as it is, the Amiesimaka committee lacks the authority to adjudicate on any matter as it is yet to be connected to the relevant bodies like the International Court of Arbitration of Sports.

Ndanusa explained that for now those who want to quickly solve the ongoing face off between the Aminu Maigari led NFF and the new NFA led by Mr. Jarret Tenebe may have to look elsewhere for solution to the problem.

According to him, it will take a while for the committee to meet up with all the requirements for setting up a court of arbitration that can competently handle such matters.

Ndanusa reiterated that the Amiesimaka led committee would require time to connect to all the international bodies and also satisfy the laws of the land for it to get the nod to establish the court.

“I want to clear this matter before Nigerians are misled into believing that a court of arbitration has been established. What we did today (yesterday) is not to set up the court of arbitration. What we have done is to set up a committee that would prepare grounds for the setting up of the court proper.

“It is after the committee is able to satisfy all the requirements both locally and internationally that it would then set up the court. It has to be connected to the relevant bodies before any other thing.

“I therefore wish to say that this committee lacks the authority to entertain the case between NFF and NFA. As much as it is important to get the matter solved, those concerned will either have to wait or look elsewhere for solution”.

When asked to proffer solution to the NFF, NFA face off, the former minister pleaded with our reporter to restrict his interview to the topic on the committee that was inaugurated yesterday.

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