The immediate past President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi Lulu, on Tuesday in Abuja debunked reports of any form of financial misappropriation leveled against him by Senator Heineken Lokpobiri in a recent media interview.
Rather, Lulu said that he left N2.8 billion in the account of the federation on his exit as the boss of the football house.
He said it is the National Sports Commission and the new board of the NFF, led by Alhaji Aminu Maigari, that have to account for the money his administration left behind.
Lulu told newsmen that this year makes it two years since his administration was forced out of office illegally and charged to court.
He said some persons having “powers of authority” deprived Nigerians from getting the desired patriotic service they were offering, adding that he remains patient and awaits the verdict of the court on the 10 count charge reduced to eight against him.
He said hese same people “have devised a continuous means of waging the campaign of calumny against us and casting a slur on our persons and reputations.”
According to Lulu, Lokpobiri had accused him of mismanaging N2.16 billion ($8m and $5.5m), saying: “As at when we left office, NFF had a total of N2.8 billion in its local accounts and in FIFA account.
“Included is the $8 million FIFA 2010 World Cup participation fee and the $5.5 million FIFA sponsorship funds for the 2009 U-17 world in Nigeria.”
On the 2010 World Cup government fund, Lulu said: “The Federal Government approved N1.25 billion but released N900 million paid into the NFF account by the NSC.
“The balance of N350 million is in the custody of the NSC.
“At our impeachment, N326 million and $540,000 were left in the various accounts as residues from the N900 million released to the NFF.”
In the World Cup, we earned $9 million.
“One million dollars was advanced for preparation for the tournament while the balance of $8 million was to be released after the World Cup.
“As at when we were impeached on the 3rd July 2010, the balance of $8 million had not been remitted to the NFF account directly.”
Speaking on the $5.5 million sponsorship fund from FIFA to Nigeria on the LOC 2009, he said the money was lodged in the LOC account with First Bank Plc, Abuja, adding: “No amount was withdrawn from this account under my leadership.”
Trying to clarify the N185 million classified as bribe to the 36 state Football Associations and that of the FCT, Lulu said: “I am not aware of any bribe to any group or any individual.
“I am aware of the annual FIFA grant of $250,000 to Associations to facilitate national development programmes.
“My executive committee approved the annual total remittance of N18.5 million, that is N500,000 to each state and FCT for grassroots developmental programmes effective 2009.”