Payment of World Athletic Money, Vindication of Ibrahim Gusau-led AFN

Payment of World Athletic Money, Vindication of Ibrahim Gusau-led AFN

By Admin

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria welcomed the full payment of USD 130,000 to the World Athletics following a mistaken credit of USD 150,000 instead of USD 20,000 as grant for the 2017 Confederation of Africa Athletics Golden League in Warri, Delta State.

As clear as the matter is, some stakeholders blamed the Athletics Ruling Body in Nigeria especially its President, Ibrahim Shehu Gusau for the problem despite available information to the contrary while others commented honestly while the ugly scenario lasted.

While pointing out that Ibrahim Shehu Gusau has never claimed sainthood, it is germane to restate the fact that the USD 150,000 was paid to AFN on 17th May, 2017 and spent at a time there was no Board.
From the foregoing, if the World Athletics had done its work properly, the issue of overpayment will not have arisen in the first place.

However, when the Athletics Ruling Body in the World realised its mistake, and sought for refund of the overpaid USD 130,000, Ibrahim Shehu Gusau immediately took action to save the country from embarrassment.
Ibrahim Shehu Gusau wrote three letters addressed to the former Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung pleading for reimbursement of the wrongful credits:
a. 30th November 2017.

“Prior to the inauguration of the new Board on the 21st Of July 2017, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria had on 17th May, 2017 received the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars ($150,000) as competition grant to facilitate the organisation of the 2017 CAA grand prix scheduled on 1st July 2017 in Warri, Delta State. The championship date and venue was later changed to 18th July 2017in Ozoro, Delta State. These changes were communicated to CAA and IAAF.

The championship was successfully organized as planned. However, two months after the competition grant was received, the International Association of Athletics Federations wrote to inform the Athletics Federation that the grant was an overpayment in excess of One Hundred and Thirty Thousand ($130,000) and should be refunded.
In view of the foregoing, I wish to humbly appeal for the timely intervention of the Ministry to ensure timely resolution of this challenging situation as to also avoid further penalties.”
b. 16th March 2018:

“Another letter has again been received from IAAF which I am forwarding to you.
It is expedient that the refund is made as the IAAF has threatened to take any action necessary if within 30 days the full amount of $130,000 is not refunded.”

c. 15 May 2019:
“It is expedient that the refund is made as soon as possible as the IAAF has threatened to apply any action necessary against our Federation if within two weeks the full amount of $130,000 is not refunded.”
From the above, it is clear that the money, being not an annual grant, was received by the former AFN Secretary General, Amechi Akawo, a staff of the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development at a time the Solomon Ogba led Board of which Ibrahim Shehu Gusau was a member had exited while the current Board which now has Ibrahim Shehu Gusau as President, was yet to be inaugurated and ip so facto, not in office.

From all indications, the Chief victim was wrongly maligned and sometimes painted as Perpetrator of a wrongful act which is actually the opposite.
It was on this premise that in April 2019, Ibrahim Shehu Gusau petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission to investigate the matter of the World Athletics money with a view to clearing his name and maintaining his integrity. Investigation has commenced.

The current Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development Olusade Adesola was not in the role when the transactions were conducted nor was the incumbent Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare.

It is heart-warming to point out that the former Minister approved half payment of USD 65,000 in May 2019 which was paid in June while his successor approved the balance in October 2019 which has been received by World Athletics and acknowledged with a commendation for the Ministry of Youth and Sports Development for ensuring full and final reimbursement of the money.