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Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) has further distanced itself from World Boxing, with the lawyer of Azania Omo-Agege threatening legal action if the body refuses to “cease interference.”
In a disclaimer signed by NBF vice-president, Omo-Agege’s legal counsel, seen by insidethegames, stated that Nigeria becoming the first nation from Africa to join World Boxing is “inaccurate and misleading.”
The counsel also cautioned World Boxing against any unauthorised use of the “name ‘Nigeria’, its flag or any other representation associated with our clients’ nation”.
On Friday, October 20, World Boxing announced that Nigeria was among its newest members – and first from Africa – along with Finland, Iceland, Jamaica, Norway, and the Czech Republic.
However, Omo-Agege, who is also the acting President of African Boxing Confederation (AFBC), denied the claims before committing Nigeria’s “firm loyalty” to the International Boxing Association (IBA).
But World Boxing claimed an application from NBF to become its member was “signed by all of the relevant senior officials within the federation and was supported by a letter from the Nigerian National Olympic Committee.”
In response, the disclaimer from Omo-Agege’s side has now asked World Boxing to produce proof of said letter.
“We trust that World Boxing will heed this warning and desist from any further actions that infringe upon the sovereignty of the NBF,” a letter from Abuja-based Temporize Solicitors said.
“Please be advised that any continued disregard for these concerns will compel us to pursue legal action to protect the integrity and rights of the NBF.”
The NBF also said its Board has not had a chance to convene to make a decision of “such monumental significance”.
In June this year, SwissBoxing became the first National Federation to reverse its decision to join World Boxing, leading to the resignation of Andreas Anderegg as President after 17 years, after some members complained that the decision to leave IBA had been taken without proper consultation.
The battle for Nigerian membership looks set to intensify in the coming days as World Boxing maintained their stance from yesterday when approached for a comment.
“The application was signed by all of the relevant senior officials within the Federation and was supported by a letter from the Nigerian National Olympic Committee which requested that World Boxing ‘kindly accord the Federation due recognition’ and confirmed that the Nigeria Boxing Federation is the only recognised body responsible for organising boxing in Nigeria,” their statement read.
