Amaju Pinnick Fires Back: ” I Am Not Under A Travel Ban, NFF Account Transparent”

By Michael Effiong

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Amaju Melvin Pinnick has refuted reports that he has been slammed with a travel ban and is being investigated for fraud

He was reacting to the story in some online publications that the President has ordered his probe by the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission  ( EFCC ) over $16million FIFA funds and also placed him on a travel ban

In a series of tweets, the man who has been adjudged as the most successful President of Nigeria’s football governing body in recent times said that while the stories were making the rounds he was in Ghana!

Accordingto him” I am in Ghana for a meeting between the Nigeria Football Federation and CAF Partners , AITEO, I also have official engagements coming up in Senegal. In other words, no such ban is in place and no security agency has gotten in touch. The @nff recently published its audited accounts

” In Thisday Newspapers and Daily Trust on Thursday December 20, 2018 and on Tuesday  the 25th of December  2018 in the Vanguard Newspapers. In effect, our finances are open  for everyone to see. All incomes  from the  Federal Government, FIFA & CAF since 2014 are reflected.

” Before my appointment  into the FIFA Committees, I had to pass through intense integrity and eligibility tests. I was not found wanting. Two years ago, FIFA handed @nff a clean bill of health in our financial management. Our accounts are audited by Pwc.T he same firm that audits FIFA. So it is quite laughable whenever these stories come out. And they  come out, without fail, and from the same sources .Well I’ll be talking to my lawyers  to see what legal redress I can get but it will be nice

“If our media houses investigated these things before publishing.  I might not know every journalist in Nigeria but I do know a few in just about every media in the country.When these unfounded stories hit, it is our football that suffers.

” Sponsors and prospective sponsors become wary of and about doing business  with us. Surely we can be more responsible in our reports? I’m hoping the more responsible media outlets will disregard these reports while assuring our partners and prospective partners that we are serious about taking our football upwards.”