Baribote Hits Back At Pinnick: First Ban Yourself Because You’re Serial Statutes Violator

Victor Baribote (PICTURED) has said Amaju Pinnick should first ban himself for violating the 2010 NFF Statutes severally before he threatens to sanction Stakeholders who take the football federation to court.

Outgoing NFF President Pinnick talked tough at the weekend when he threatened to ban those who sue the NFF because that is in violation of the Statutes.

However, former Nigeria Premier League Chairman Baribote has now dared that Pinnick should first ban himself as is he a “serial violator” of the Statutes.

“Amaju should live by example by first banning himself because he is a serial violator of the Statutes,” Baribote challenged.

“In reading sections of law you don’t read them in isolation, there must be a community reading. Article 1.1 of the NFF Statutes states, “The Nigeria Football Federation is a private organization of an associative nature in compliance with the Laws of Nigeria it is form for unlimited period .

“Section 1 (3) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states, “Any law that is inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution is Null and Void “ so this invalidate Article 69 (1) & (2) of the NFF Statutes 2010 as amended he is relying on.

“Agreed the NFF Statutes 2010 as amended is what is in force as per administration of football in Nigeria however the NFF have expressly submitted themselves to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“So, in consonance with section 1(3) of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria where there is inconsistency between the Constitution of Nigeria and that of NFF Statutes, the Constitution takes precedence. Article 3 (1) & (2) of the NFF Statutes is against discrimination of any kind Article 3(1) states that “NFF is neural in matters of politics and religion “

“Article 3(2) states too that “ Discrimination of kind against a country, private person or group of people on account of ethnic origin, gender , language, religion, politics or any other reason is strictly prohibited and punishable by suspension or expulsion “

Baribote continued: “It was alleged that Amaju seriously involved himself in the politics of the Supporters Club of Nigeria by creating factions within the Supporters Club of Nigeria, we now have six of them.

“He also formed another Players Union and again discriminated the recognized Players Union that the NFF headed by Amaju paid the FIFA palliative as the Statutorily known body, but assuming but not conceding that there is a violation you only suspend the member in question, but not the Statutory body (PFAN), Amaju discriminately excluded a Statutory body (PFAN ) from the 2022 NFF AGA In Lagos.

“Section 42 of the constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria also talked about discrimination meaning both the Constitution of Nigeria and the NFF Statutes are in agreement.

“And again Article 7 of the NFF Statutes clearly provides that “The bodies and officials of NFF must observe the Statutes, regulations, directives, decisions and the Code of ethics of FIFA, CAF, and WAFU and of NFF in their activities“. Meanwhile Amaju did not respect these provisions Article 12 (c) 13 (b) and 18 (2) .

“Article 12 (c) “To nominate candidates for all bodies of NFF to be elected“ .

“Article 13(b) “To ensure the election of its decision making bodies “ .

“Article 18 (2) “The affiliated state football Associations, clubs, leagues and other groups of the NFF SHALL take all decisions on any matters regarding their membership independently of any external body. This obligation applies regardless of their corporate structure.” .

“And in furtherance to that, the Amaju-led Board is a beneficiary of the Jos division of the Court of Appeal that puts him and his Board in office till today, he never rejected the judgment that football matters don’t go to conventional court, so you cannot benefit from the court and turn around to condemn same, it is laughable.”

Baribote further argued: “It is also worthy to note that FIFA operate under the Swiss laws, just like NFF in Nigeria.

“Let me use the words of the Hon. Minister for Sports Sunday Dare – “There was first a country before FIFA”. This the NFF recognized in Article 1.1 of the NFF Statutes.”