The former Secretary General of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Amaechi Akawo is currently in detention at the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, www.aclsports.com gathered.
Akawo is said to be connected to the disappearance of the $150,000 sent to the AFN by the International Association of Athletics Federation.
A source close to the ministry of youth and sports informed www.aclsports.com that the speedy payment of the remaining funds by the minister of sports, Sunday Dare is to ensure the staff of the ministry in detention is prosecuted by the ICPC which will further put the ministry in bad light.
The source said, “The former Secretary General of Athletics Federation of Nigeria, Amechi Akawo has spent three nights in the detention facility of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission because he was named in the case of the missing funds.
“If you recall, the money was paid when the AFN board led by Solomon Ogba was dissolved ahead of the election and the only individual who had access to the account was the secretary. The current board was accused of siphoning the money but the President wrote a letter to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as well as the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission to wade into the matter”.
Sports Ministry staff and close aides of the Sports Minister declined to go on record on the issue but one said “I heard about it only yesterday but I am unable to confirm anything honestly”.
The source further said, “I am happy the sports ministry have accepted to pay the remaining balance but without informing the AFN board led by Ibrahim Gusau. I feel it is necessary for us to apologise to them for portraying them in bad light to the public.
The Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Sunday Dare on Wednesday paid the sum of sixty five thousand US dollars ($65,000) the balance of the International Association Athletics Federation, IAAF, overpaid fund into paid Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN, account.
https://m.guardian.ng/sport/at-last-gusau-breaks-silence-on-iaafs-missing-130000/
Some athletes advised the sports ministry to work with the current board in order to get result ahead of Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
An athlete (name withheld) said, “This is the time to work together with the current board because every allegation levelled against them has been nullified with the payment of the funds by the ministry. Home based athletes have been given opportunities to excel during the shortest period and the next thing is to shift attention to Tokyo 2020 Olympics”.
Another athlete said, “If you look at the composition of the members who made up the committee to probe the results of Nigeria performance at the recently concluded IAAF World Championships in Doha, you will notice that some of them are individuals who do not like the board and will not see anything good about them. I will not be surprised if they recommend the dissolution of the board which will be the last thing the minster should accept”.
