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says DSS, NAIA intervention justified
Public affairs analyst, Austin Okai, has said the autonomy granted to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) by FIFA does not shield the football body from investigation by Nigerian security agencies.
Okai stated this during an interview with TVC on Wednesday while reacting to the investigation involving the NFF and the Department of State Services (DSS).
He argued that the DSS and other relevant national security agencies are empowered to investigate matters capable of threatening Nigeria’s national security, stressing that such intervention should not automatically be viewed as political interference.
According to him, the relationship between football administration and national interest becomes significant where allegations of financial irregularities, mismanagement or possible collaboration with foreign entities are involved.
“No, autonomy is not immunity.
“And three things are involved here. Two things are involved here. There is, as I’m talking to you correctly, the Super Facons have petitioned the NFF before the court of arbitration over fraud, inability of NFF to meet up with their entitlements, such as bonuses and allowances.
“And last year, you can recall that when this government came to power, over 70 billion was released to NFF to address debt and address the issues of bonuses and allowances for the players. That is the responsibility of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. In that case, even EFCC itself has nothing to do with political decisions.
“They are also apolitical. Just as I said earlier, that autonomy granted to NFF by FIFA and the Federal Republic of Nigeria is not an immunity. And when the national security saw that threat, a credible source has already indicated that there is a collusion between the local, the NFF, and the foreign body.
“In that case, investigating it has nothing to do with political interference.”
Okai said the investigation should also be considered against concerns over the administration and performance of Nigerian football.
He cited calls by former Super Eagles captain Mikel Obi and other stakeholders for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s football system following Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to him, the investigation could help address some of the challenges confronting the NFF and strengthen accountability within the organisation.
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“The calling of Nigerians who are also holding the NFF accountable for the poor performance Super Facom has failed. The Super Eagle has failed. Locally, we are not doing well.
“So, it’s not about one man running affairs of national football as a personal empire, because you are enjoying protection from FIFA. No, this is the Nigerian Football Federation, funded partially by the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“And therefore, calling for accountability or demand for what happened to the tax payer money being released or allocated to the NFF is still part of our constitutional requirement, our constitutional duties as a citizen.”
Okai also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate the financial dealings of the NFF, particularly funds he said were released to the federation by the Federal Government.
He questioned the inability of the NFF to meet some of its financial obligations to players and other stakeholders despite government funding.
“On the issue of fraud, I’m also calling on the EFCC to take up this case about the inability of NFF to meet up in financial obligation, despite 17 billion released by the president of the current government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria into the NFF account. What’s happened to the money? Why is the Superfac on the players and the court of sport arbitration?”
The analyst further said calls for the resignation of the NFF leadership should not be interpreted as political interference, describing them as part of the right of citizens and football stakeholders to demand accountability.
He urged relevant authorities, including the DSS, NAIA and EFCC, to examine issues within the football federation where there are reasonable grounds to suspect threats to national security or financial misconduct.
“They are not immune. They are not immune from being investigated in national security. They are not immune. Yes, I hear you, Mr. Akai. That they are communicating with external partner is sabotaging Nigerian effort, undermining the national security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Okai maintained that any investigation into the NFF should focus on accountability, national security and the overall interest of Nigerian football.
He also noted that FIFA itself has previously faced scrutiny from law enforcement authorities. In 2015, a major corruption investigation involving FIFA led to the arrest of several senior football officials in Switzerland at the request of the United States Department of Justice, while longtime FIFA president Sepp Blatter later announced his resignation amid the scandal.
Okai said the precedent demonstrated that football autonomy does not place football governing bodies beyond the reach of law enforcement when allegations involving financial crimes or national security arise.
“For that, DSS and NAIA are well empowered to investigate issues relating to national threats,” he added.
