Alleged $9.5m FIFA grant fraud: Court dismisses application to join Pinnick, Sanusi

NJustice Peter Affen of an FCT High Court, Maitama on Thursday dismissed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to join the President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick, and Secretary-General, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi, in the alleged misappropriation of $9.5 million FIFA grant.
Affen in his ruling held that it would amount to abuse of court processes to join the duo after they were acquitted of similar charge at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division.
He held that Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had earlier acquitted Pinnick and Sanusi.
Affen added that there was a similar charge before her (Ojukwu ) and in line with the provisions of section 355 of Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, they were acquitted.
He then adjourned until April 30 for the trial of the other three.
The EFCC dragged three officials of NFF before the court in an alleged $9.5 million FIFA grant misappropriation before applying on April 30, 2019 to join both Pinnick and Sanusi in the matter as co-defendants.
Those being tried earlier were Christopher Andekin, NFF Director of Administration and Finance; Reagan Zaka, Cashier; and Fadanari Mamza, Head, Finance and Account Department.
The EFCC charged the defendants with five counts bordering on criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and misappropriation.
The EFCC alleged that they conspired between January 8 and 26, 2015 to commit the offence, contrary to Section 97 of Penal Code.
Andekin was alleged to have been entrusted with money meant for the development of football in Nigeria, a grant from world football body, the Federation of International Football Association.
He was alleged to have fraudulently diverted $1.3 million from the NFF domiciliary account with Zenith Bank, an act that is contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code.
Zaka, on his part, was said to have fraudulently diverted $7.2 million from the FIFA grant, while Mamza was accused of diverting $2.3 million.
The defendants all pleaded not guilty to the charge.
On June 27, 2019, while adopting processes filed in support of the application for joinder the prosecuting counsel, Steve Odiase, urged the court to grant the application.