By Amaechi Agbo

12 Nigeria Professional Football League, NPFL referees have been summoned to appear before the Nigeria Football Federation Referees Committee to answer questions relationg to dubious officiating in four matches recently.

The referees affected have also been handed immediate and indefinite suspension from league matches pending when cases against them are determined.

A release by the Nigeria Referees Association, NRA noted that “the following Referees have been stepped down from further appointments in the NPFL pending their appearance before the NFF Referees Committee concerning incidents related to the matches handled.

The affected referees include Nura Albulahi from Zamfara State who handled Matchday 32 clash between Akwa United and Enyimba FC.

Nura along with his Assistant Referees AR 1 & 2, Aromana Moruf and Francis Friday from Lagos and Bauchi States in that order are also to appear before the committee.

Others are Gababi Abdurashd from Taraba State who was the centre referee in the Matchday 33 clash between Kano Pillars and Dakkada FC. His AR 1&2 Aminu Salihu from FCT and Akinola Tosin from Ekiti State were also suspended and summoned.

The referees that oversaw the matchday 34 between Jigawa vs Rivers United, Yohanna Dauda (Center Referee, CR) Plateau State,
Ishaya Usman AR1, Gombe State and Okoye Cosmas AR2 from Anambra State are in for questioning.

The last set of officials to appear for interrogation are the centre referee in the match involving Akwa United and Warri Wolves
Olayinka Olajide from Lagos and his co- officials, Isa Aliyu from Jigawa State and
Jimoh Abdurashd Bauchi State who were AR 1 & 2 during the match on Sunday.

Meanwhile, the NRA has expressed concern over certain performances by referees in the NPFL of late.

The association is worried that the performances are coming after the NFF organised high capacity seminar.

Referees are also advised to always report immediately to appropriate bodies accurate incidents related to security at match venues especially where it affects their lives and performances.

Below is the list of the affected officials

Week 32
Akwa United vs Enyimba
Nura Albulahi ZM
Aromona Moruf LG
Francis Friday BA

Week 33
Pillars vs Dakkada
Garbabi Abdurashd TR
Aminu Salihu FCT
Akinola Tosin EK

Week 34
Jigawa vs Rivers Utd
Yohanna Dauda PL
Ishaya Usman GM
Okoye Cosmas AN

Akwa Utd vs Warri
Olayinka Olajide LG
Isa Aliyu JG
Jimoh Abdurashd BA