Abdulgafar Oladimeji
The Chairman, Alfindinki Football Club, one Abba Hamza Baba has dragged Kano state Football Association (FA) before the state high court over the claims of an alleged violation of his fundamental human rights.
Abba in an motion on notice has told the court that his grievance’s against Kano FA was brought pursuant to the provisions of section 35, 40 and 46 of the 1999 constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria as amended.
He told the court that Kano FA Chairman, Sharif Rabiu Inuwa Ahlan, Kano FA secretary, one Shehu Buhari, Kano FA Vice Chairman, Aminu China have jointly denied him the right to feature his players in the state Tofa premier league.
According to him, on protesting against his alleged maltreatment by the respondents, the FA instituted criminal complaints against him with the police, leading to his arrest, detention and arraignment before the state chief magistrate court no 23.
The club proprietor in an affidavit sworn in support of the motion on notice dated 17th April, 2025, said that he obtained Tofa premier league slot belonging to the now defunct Warriors football club at the sum of N700,000, adding that he was forced to pay the state FA N350,000 being 50 percent commission for the purchase of the slot.
The plaintiff told the court that, he also paid the sum of N120,000 to the state FA through Tofa Premier league Forum, adding that he further paid the sum of N58,000, for what he said the state FA termed as unattached fees.
Abba further alleged that, on the 15th of February, 2025, he paid the sum of N165,000, into the account of the state FA being payment for the clearance of three players that were transferred from Kano Municipal football club to his club.
The club fulfilled all the laid out requirements to feature in the Tofa Premier, though were denied the opportunity to compete in the league, by the state FA, the court heard.
The club owner through his attorney, Mahmud Ishaq then prayed the court to declare the actions carried out by Sharif Rabiu Inuwa Ahlan, Shehu Buhari, Aminu China against the plaintiff as unlawful, unconstitutional and amounts to the deprivation of his constitutional rights to association.
He further prayed the court to order the respondents to release the players license to Abba Hamza Baba, asking the court to also order the respondents to tender an apology for their wrongful actions.
The respondents had earlier filled an preliminary objection, stating that the court lacks the jurisdiction to preside over the matter.
The Kano high court no 4 sitting at Audu Bako secretariat preside over by justice usman Na’Abba had fixed the matter for July 10 for hearing, the state FA chairman and secretary ,on the fixed date had written to notify the court that they would not be able to attend the court session, the advocate for Aminu China was however present in court.
The matter is adjourned to July 24, for hearing.
