By Emmanuel Omolah

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has dragged three top officials of the Nigeria Football Federation NFF to court over alleged misappropriation of 9.5 million dollars FIFA grant.
The men are now telling the Federal High Court in Abuja all they know about the money. The three accused men are Christopher Andekin, NFF Director of Administration and Finance, Fadanari Mamza, Head of Finance and Account Department and Reagan Zaka, a Cashier.
EFCC accused them of fiddling with the sum of 9.5 million dollars and 1.3 million dollars grant from FIFA, the world football governing body.
Charges brought against the defendants include criminal conspiracy, breach of trust and misappropriation.
In the report, the prosecutor Steve Odiasewho stated that the three accused conspired for the illegal act in January, 2015 contrary to section 97 of the penal code.
He argued that the defendants had the responsibility to be in charge of the FIFA grant meant to be used in developing the game of football in the country.
The report also alleged that Andekin was able to manoeuvre 1.3 million dollars to an account with Zenith Bank while Zaka and Mamza, both diverted 7.2 million dollars and 2.3 million dollars of the grant from FIFA.
The presiding judge, Justice Peter Affen however gave administrative bail to the defendants upon request and adjourned the case for trial beginning on Tuesday, November 27, 2018.
It will be recalled that the NFF has not sought the annual FIFA grant for the past three years. This is because FIFA will demand to know how the last grant was expended on football development in Nigeria, details of which NFF may not be able to provide.
FIFA supports its affiliated member countries each with annual grant to develop the game of football.