Stay Out of Nigeria Basketball League, Court Tells Kida, Tijani Umar NBBF Factions

Stay off Nigeria Basketball League, Court Tells Kida, Tijani Umar NBBF Factions By Niyi Busari A Federal High court in Abuja on Wednesday 20th March 2019 ordered that the two factions of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) should stay off the Nigeria basketball pending the determination of the case. The order which is contained in suit no: FHC/ABJ/CS/13172016 as the plaintiffs; the Management Board of Kwese Premier Basketball League, Alh. Sa'ad Ibrahim Chairman, Gombe Basketball Club and Dr. Adegbite Adeyemo Chairman Kwara state Basketball Association and defendants Nigeria Basketball Federation Musa Kida and Tijani Umar factions, secured an injunction from the court refraining both NBBF factions from the Nigeria Basketball league. According to Barrister Josiah Daniel Ebune, lead counsel to the Management Board of Kwese Premier Basketball League who spoke with www.bsnsports.com.ng, the court order prohibited both factions from conducting any fresh Premier Basketball League for purpose of selecting men's representatives at the 2018/19 African Continental Basketball Championship pending the determination of the substantive suit. He argued that stakeholders of the game cannot continue to suffer as the league is on hold due to the leadership problem rocking the federation. The applicants believed that court order will allow smooth running of the league without interference from both factions. The order from the Abuja High Court reads in parts; "That an Order of Interlocutory injunction is hereby made restraining the Defendants by themselves, agents, privies and or servants whomsoever and however defined from going ahead with conducting any fresh Premier Basketball League for purpose of selecting men's representatives at the 2018/19 African Continental Basketball Championship pursuant to the letter of invitation to 2018 NBBF Premier Basketball League contained in the letter to that effect dated 19th October, 2018, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit." Recall that two different Presidents of Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) emerged in 2017 after their elections. Tijani Umar won as NBBF President in Kano NBBF election while Musa Kida emerged the winner in NBBF Abuja election. FIBA recognizes both factions but communicates through Musa Kida faction.