Athletics Boss,  drags NSC, others to court over Congress

By Ezurike Ugochukwu 

The Chairman of Gombe State Athletics Association Mr Ahmed Gombe Shuaibu Gara has dragged the National Sports Commission (NSC) and three others to court over what he claimed to be illegal and unconstitutional Congress of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria.

In the Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/940/2025 filed before the Federal High Court Abuja by counsel to the Plaintiff(Ahmed Gombe Shuaibu Gara) W.S. Bako Esq against the NSC as first defendant and other defendants.

At the purported Congress held on December 14, 2024 and April 10, 2025 respectively, the summoning suit has Athletics Federation of Nigeria (Body in charge of Athletics development in Nigeria and administration of same) , Chief Tonobok Ojuru Okowa (present President of the 2nd defendant and an executive member of the Board of 2nd defendant) and Mr Israel Inwang(present Secretary of the 2nd defendant and an executive member of Board of the 2nd defendant) as 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants respectively.

The plaintiff in the suit filed on May 13, 2025, claims against the defendants jointly and severally are:

“A declaration that the Congresses held on April 10, 2025 and December 14, 2024 in Bayelsa and Delta States respectively, and all other Congresses held afterwards are not in compliance with the Constitution of the second defendant, specifically Article 10 : 10.14, 10.15, 10.17, 10. 41 and all relevant provisions of the Constitution, and therefore, the Congresses held are illegal, all decisions taken or made and those yet to be taken after the said Congresses as a consequence of the Congresses by the defendants or anybody in respect of the second defendant are null null, void and inconsequential.

” A declaration that by the Constitution of the second defendant, particularly Article 5 (5.2.5, 5.5, 6.5.7) and all relevant provisions of the Constitution, removal of the plaintiff from the WhatsApp group of the Association which is the major communication platform of the 2nd defendant is a breach of his right as a member and Chairman of the 2nd defendant representing the Gombe State chapter and all the members of the 2nd defendant Gombe State chapter that he represents.

” A declaration that asking members to pay affiliation fee into private account of an unknown individual for an association as big as the 2nd defendant is irresponsible, not in accordance with the Constitution and shows absolute lack of transparency.

“A declaration that it is against the Constitution of the 2nd defendant to organise Congress and include member states without well constituted Board members, Chairmen and Secretaries as enshrined in the Constitution of the 2nd defendant.

“An order of the court mandating the 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants to immediately reinstate the plaintiff into the WhatsApp group of the 2nd defendant.

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants, their agents, servants, privies or successors howsoever called forthwith from further unjustly removing plaintiff from the WhatsApp group or any channel for passing information by the 2nd defendant except it is done in compliance with the Constitution of the second defendant.

“An order of the court mandating the defendants to comply with the Constitution of the second defendant as per Congress and elections and stayof all actions concerning the decision until there is absolute compliance with the Constitution of the second defendant.

“An order of the court mandating the 2nd, 3rd , and 4th defendants to provide and publish a detailed nominal role of Board members of all affiliated member states, including their names, Email, phone numbers and addresses and send same to Chairmen of member states within 30days.”

The suit filed by Ahmed Gombe Shuaibu Gara with averments in his statement of claim is supported with witness statement on Oath and Affidavit of non multiplicity of action sworn to by the plaintiff.
Also attached are list of witness to be called, Constitution of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (as amended ) which was adopted by the Congress on May 25, 2023.

As at the time of filing this report, the defendants are yet to respond and /or file their defence.