Attempts by the Okoi Obono-Obla-led Special Presidential Investigative Panel (SPIP) to arrest President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) and four other board members on allegations of corruption suffered a setback on Monday as the earlier warrant of arrest granted to the body has been suspended.

An Abuja Chief Magistrate District Court II, sitting at Wuse Zone 2 and presided by his Worship Mabel T. Segun Bello, through its order put in abeyance the warrant of arrest it had issued previously to the Obono-Obla panel against some elected officials of NFF, namely; Amaju Melvin Pinnick (NFF President), Seyi Akinwunmi, Shehu Dikko, Ahmed Yusuf and Dr. Sanusi Mohammed, its General Secretary.

A statement from the law firm of Mamman, Nasir & Co, counsels representing the NFF, yesterday maintained that the warrant was obtained by SPIP erroneously "as it ultra vires the enabling law establishing SPIP."

The statement signed by Muhammad Sani Katu Esq, stressed that this fresh order for the maintenance of status quo thereby suspending the execution of the warrant of arrest was made on 14th day of January, 2019 under the hand of the presiding judge of the Court (Chief District Judge II).

"The Court made the order after hearing our clients' application No. MN/04/2019 challenging the jurisdiction of the court, among others.

"By the same order, the SPIP has now been put on notice to appear before the Court to answer to other fundamental and substantial issues of law put forward by our clients in the matter, including the fact that there is no basis

whatsoever for a warrant of arrest to be issued against them under the law," observed the statement.

It further stated that notwithstanding this positive and deserved outcome, expected by our clients, "we hold unto their firm instructions to pursue with utmost diligence and determination Suit No. FC/ABJ/CS/17/2019 pending separately at the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, which our clients have instituted against Chief Obono Obla and SPIP for violating our clients' rights under the law and, acting outside and contrary to the enabling law setting up SPIP."

The law firm further averred that: "For the avoidance of any doubt, our clients reiterate most categorically that there are no charges against them existing anywhere, as they have not committed any crimes under the law, whatsoever.

"They maintain that this whole lamentable matter is nothing more than the machination of some persons who are adverse to competing fairly for the leadership of NFF, but desperately wish to be foisted on the federation (NFF) by external forces, who are apparently misled.

"Our clients are, therefore, confident that this conspiracy will surely be defeated in time," the statement maintained.

On behalf of Pinnick and the four others board members, the law firm of Mamman. Nasir & Co expressed NFF's appreciation to all its sponsors, partners and other stakeholders for their steadfast loyalty and support.

"They should rest assured that NFF remains committed to the orderly, transparent and accountable management of its affairs at all times, in keeping with best global standards," the statement concluded.

•Excerpted from THISDAY report