Lagos — With the case of the $236,000 missing World Cup still ongoing, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) is exploring the option of requesting the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mike Okiro, to wade into the matter.
We understand that the leadership of the football federation is becoming restless with the failure of the police to unmask the burglars that stole the World Cup fund.
A top official of the NFF, who confided in our correspondent, disclosed that the NFF may seek the assistance of Okiro, to intervene in the case since the police in Abuja were yet to unmask the burglars.
"The federation is considering writing the Inspector-General about the missing World Cup funds. The top members of the federation are worried that the case is taking too long because it will become three weeks by the time we enter next week. A few influential members of the football federation have been discussing about writing the IG on the matter and I believe that they will do that soon," the source said.
The NFF spokesman, Ademola Olajire, confirmed the federation's plan of seeking the assistance of Okiro in solving the riddle surrounding the stolen money.
He said the football house is unhappy with the delay, which has led to sporadic speculation in the media. "The federation is considering that option (of seeking the assistance of the Inspector-General) in making sure that the case is solved in time. It is taking longer than expected. We are not happy with the pace and this has led to speculations in the media, linking some of the top members of the federation to the missing money, which is embarrassing. The reports concerning our top officials are untrue," he said.
Olajire also denied reports that the police have recovered the money, as the preliminary report was to the contrary.
In a related development, the police have re-arrested 14 staff of the football house. The latest development occurred after the case was transferred from a police station in Abuja to Zone 7 that is under the supervision of an Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police. The police in Zone 7 decided to re-arrest the 14 staff of the football federation earlier released on bail by a police station in Abuja in order to conduct a fresh inquest into the circumstances surrounding it.
We learnt that the files of the suspects have been transferred to Zone 7, while the AIG has reportedly taken keen interest in the case.
Source: The Daily Independent
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