EFCC reportedly probing sports commission over ?abuse of office and diversion of funds?

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched an investigation into allegations of abuse of office and diversion of funds at the National Sports Commission (NSC). 

A letter dated November 28, signed by Farouk Dogondaji on behalf of the EFCC chairman, and addressed to the NSC’s director general, outlined the agency’s request for detailed financial records related to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and the Professional Football League.

The EFCC’s letter, seen by TheCable, requested a comprehensive list of sponsors for the NFF and the Professional Football League, including companies and individuals, from 2022 to the present. The anti-graft agency is also seeking information on the amounts donated, the accounts or banks into which the funds were deposited, and details of fund releases made to the NFF for three major football tournaments, excluding budgetary allocations.

Specifically, the EFCC demanded records of donations from FIFA for the preparation of the Super Falcons ahead of the 2023 Women’s World Cup and funds from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for Nigeria’s participation in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) finals. The commission also asked for information on companies engaged as consultants for both the NFF and the Professional Football League, as well as any other details that could aid its investigation.

The agency’s request is made under the authority of Section 38 (1) and (2) of the EFCC Establishment Act, 2004, which empowers the commission to obtain information critical to its investigations.