Giwa FC, Nembe City appeal exclusion

Giwa FC and Nembe City have appealed their exclusion from this season's Glo Premier League two weeks after their being expelled.

Both clubs were thrown out of the Nigerian premier division by the League Management Company (LMC) Limited for failing to meet the substantial minimum requirement on March 6.

In the wake of their exclusion to compete in the top flight, Nembe City petitioned the Nigerian lower house, the Committee on Sport of the House of Representatives.

On the other hand, two persons, Funky Odigie and Abubakar Mustapha, claiming to be fans of Giwa FC filed lawsuits against the LMC and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) praying that the Jos club be reinstated in the league.

Giwa FC were also listed as defendants in both law suits.

In a volte-face, the two clubs have now appealed in separate but identically worded letters dated March 20 and addressed to the LMC, pleading to be re-admitted into the Glo Premier League.

The LMC has in turn referred the appeals to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) citing existing arbitration procedures for disputes in football. 

In the circumstance, the NFF may decide to hand over the appeal to the License Appeals Body, the Appeals Committee or the Executive Committee. The License Appeals Body is the second instance body according to the NFF Licensing Regulations but the Federation may also decide that it follows the old regulations which refers appellate matters to the Appeals Committee and may also choose to table it before the Executive Committee which sits on cases of urgent nature.

In a-two paragraph letter the LMC chairman, Hon. Nduka Irabor acknowledged receipt of the appeal and informed the two clubs that their request has been forwarded to the NFF.

“We write to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 20th March, 2014 on the above subject matter.

“Please be informed that we have taken note of your request and forwarded your letter to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) with whom power to hear appeals resides for such decisions as NFF may deem appropriate in the circumstance,” read the letter.

The appeal letter from Giwa FC was signed by the proprietor, Ambassador Chris Giwa while Nembe City chairman, Mrs Ebiakpo Rumson believed to be wife of the club president, Victor Baribote Rumson, signed for Nembe City.