Justice Peter Affen of an FCT High Court has fixed April 30 for the hearing of a motion for amendment of charge filed against three officials of the Nigeria Football Federation accused of misappropriating $10.8 million FIFA grant.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on October 18, 2018 charged Christopher Andekin, NFF Director of Administration and Finance; Reagan Zaka, Cashier; and Fadanari Mamza, Head, Finance and Account Department, with five counts bordering on criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and misappropriation.
Justice Affen fixed the date after defence counsel, Festuc Ukpe, told the court that he was only served the motion for amendment on Monday by the EFCC counsel, Steve Odiase.
Ukpe prayed the court to allow him go through the motion to reply on points of law.
NAN reports that the EFCC accused the three defendants to have conspired between January 8, 2015 and January 26, 2015 to commit the offences, contrary to Section 97 of Penal Code.
The commission alleged that Andekin was entrusted with money meant for the development of football in Nigeria, a grant from the Federation of International Football Association.
The prosecution counsel said Andekin, however, fraudulently diverted $1.3 million from the NFF domiciliary account with Zenith Bank, an act contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code.
The commission also alleged that Zaka, on his part, fraudulently diverted $7.2 million grant from FIFA for development of football in Nigeria, while Mamza diverted $2.3 million.
The defendants had all pleaded not guilty to the charges.