By Amaechi Agbo

Counsel to the Management Board of Kwese Premier Basketball League, Barrister Josiah Daniel-Ebune has declared that the proposed NBBF AGM/stakeholdees forum called by Musa Kida faction of the Nigeria Basketball Federation, NBBF slated for Saturday 13th April, 2019 in Abuja is illegal.

In a release sent to Bestchoicesports.com.ng, Daniel-Ebune stated in that contempt charges will be pressed against anyone, no matter how highly placed, who either flout the extant express order of injunction of the Federal High Court, Abuja dated 18th March, 2019 or act in a manner to subvert the judgement of 29th March, 2019 or pending suits.

“Our client’s attention has been drawn to the news reports and correspondence from Musa Kida faction of the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) addressed to a cross-section of Nigeria Basketball Stakeholders and the general public informing and inviting them to a purported Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Stakeholders Forum in Abuja slated for Saturday, 13th April, 2019.

“All concerned and general public are hereby reminded that the world governing body of basketball, International Baseball Federation (FIBA) has nullified the two elections of the NBBF held in Kano and Abuja in June 2017 and concluded to hold new elections.

“Consequently, all concerned are advised that pending the new elections by FIBA, there is presently no duly constituted NBBF in Nigeria and therefore any purported AGM by any of the NBBF factions and decisions arising therefrom will be a nullity and exercise in futility.

“In a judgement delivered on 29th March, 2019 in Suit. N0: FHC/ABJ/CS/497/17: Alhassan Auwalu and I ORS, the Federal High Cour, Abuja Division, coral B.O Quadri, I affirmed the nullity of both NBBF elections in 2017 as decided by FIBA, furthermore, such AGM/stakeholders forum as being contemplated will be in contempt of a subsisting court order of injunction issued by Hon. Justice A.I. Chikere on the 18th day of March, 2019 in Suit. N0: FHC/ABJ/1317/2018: The Board of Kwese Premier League and 2 ORS Nigeria Basketball Federation (MUSA KIDA and TIJANI UMAR FACTIONS) and slated for hearing of the substantive suit on 18th April, 2019.

“Aside the above suit, pending the new elections , there is also pending the following suit in respect of the two elections and associated issues before a competent High Court in Kano namely Suit. N0: FHC/KN/CS/108/2017: Muktar Khaleh VS Minister of Youth & Sports Development, which matter comes up on 10th April, 2019,clearly the subject of NBBF elections and leadership is several subjudice.”