Court Asked to Sack Shehu Dikko as National Sports Commission’s Boss

Alex Enumah in Abuja

The Federal High Court in Abuja has been asked to make an order for the removal of Alhaji Shehu Dikko as Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC), over alleged breach of the Constitution and Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

The suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of the Advancement of Social Justice and Economic Development Initiative (ASJEDI) is alleging that Dikko violated the law when he used his private company to transact business with his public office, and as such should be removed as chairman of the NSC.

Besides Dikko, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) is the second defendant in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1732/2024 and filed last month.

The plaintiff in the origination summons filed by its lawyer, Mr. Olaseyi Ogunmola, is asking the court to determine whether by the relevant provisions of the Constitution and Code of Conduct for Public Officers the 1st defendant as a public officer was permitted to use his private company to transact business with his public office.

Plaintiff urged that if the above question was answered in the negative, the court should determine if the 1st defendant is a fit and proper person to occupy the position of chairman, NSC.

According to the group, Dikko prior to his appointment as chairman of NSC, and whilst he was the second chairman of Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), was also a major director and shareholder of a marketing company known as Mediterranean Sports Ltd, which they claimed later became the major marketing company for NFF.

It is the position of the plaintiff that the above act amounts to conflict of interest within the public service.

Consequently, they are asking the court to make an order affirming that the 1st defendant is not a fit and proper person to be appointed as the Chairman of NSC.

“An Order of this Honorable Court nullifying the appointment of the 1st Defendant as the Chairman NSC.

“An Order of this Honorable Court mandating 2nd Defendant and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to terminate the appointment of the 1st Defendant as the Chairman of the NSC”. Besides, the group