In a move that could reshape the leadership dynamics of athletics governance in Nigeria, the Chairman of the Gombe State Athletics Association, Mr. Ahmed Shuaibu Gara, has dragged the National Sports Commission (NSC) and the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) to court over what he describes as illegal and unconstitutional Congresses held by the AFN.
Gara, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/940/2025 filed at the Federal High Court Abuja on May 13, 2025, is challenging the legitimacy of Congresses conducted on December 14, 2024, in Delta State, and April 10, 2025, in Bayelsa State, as well as subsequent Congresses.
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He argues that these meetings breached key articles of the AFN Constitution, including Articles 10.14, 10.15, 10.17, and 10.41.
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Also named in the suit are Chief Tonobok Ojuru Okowa, current AFN President (3rd defendant), and Mr. Israel Inwang, the AFN Secretary (4th defendant).
The Athletics Federation of Nigeria itself is listed as the 2nd defendant.
Gara’s legal counsel, W.S. Bako Esq., outlined the plaintiff’s claims, which include:
Nullification of Congresses: A declaration that the Congresses in question and all subsequent decisions are unconstitutional, null, and void.
An order directing the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants to immediately reinstate Gara to the official AFN WhatsApp group, which serves as a primary communication channel.
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Transparency and Accountability: A declaration that requiring members to pay affiliation fees into private accounts is non-transparent and violates the AFN Constitution.
A declaration that any Congress including member states without duly constituted Boards, Chairmen, and Secretaries is unconstitutional.
Gara is also seeking an order mandating the AFN and its officials to comply with the Constitution before organizing any further Congresses or elections.
A court directive compelling the AFN to publish and circulate a complete list of its Board members—including names, emails, phone numbers, and addresses—to all state Chairmen within 30 days.
The lawsuit includes supporting documents such as a witness statement on oath, an affidavit of non-multiplicity of action sworn to by Gara, a list of witnesses to be called, and the current AFN Constitution adopted on May 25, 2023.
As of the time of reporting, the NSC, AFN, Okowa, and Inwang had not yet filed their defense or responded to the suit.
This case highlights the ongoing tension in Nigerian sports administration, particularly in athletics, where disputes over governance and transparency continue to spark legal battles