NPL boss, Owumi, storms EFCC with documents

NPL boss, Owumi, storms EFCC with documents

NPL boss, Owumi, storms EFCC with documents
THE Chairman of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Davidson Owumi, has tendered documents of defence at the Enugu office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), following allegations of conspiracy to defraud the country, which was levelled against him by former board member of the body, Ray Nnaji.

Owumi was invited to the headquarters of the EFCC on Wednesday to answer questions, following a petition by Nnaji that he (Owumi) used his position as chairman of the Club Owners Association of Nigeria to commit fraud.

The EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Femi Babafemi, said yesterday that Owumi had reported to the office of the anti-graft body in Enugu, adding that the NPL boss had also submitted relevant documents to help the commission in its investigation.

“He has reported to our office in Enugu I must tell you. And I have also been informed that he has submitted documents relating to all the allegations levelled against him,” Babafemi said.

One of the allegations against Owumi by Nnaji was that the Club Owners Association of Nigeria operated as an illegal body.

He also said that Owumi, and other officials of Rangers ran a website, which they used illegally to sell players from the Enugu club.

The petitioner also claimed that Globacom Nigeria Limited paid N23 million to the Club Owners Association of Nigeria under the leadership of Owumi.

Owumi disclosed that he had submitted all documents related to the case.

“I have submitted documents to back up my answers, which the EFCC was seeking to know. They have the right to investigate any petition filed in. So I will cooperate with them to make sure that the case comes to a very good conclusion. Like I have said since this case came up, I will not run away from being investigated because I am not hiding anything.

“If I drove myself from Abuja down to Enugu to face the EFCC, I can also tell you that I am ready to clear my name of any wrong doing,” he said.

He continued: “Contrary to Nnaji’s claims, the Club Owners Association is not my company and is neither an illegal association. Instead, it has been in existence for over twenty years. Femi Olukanmi formed the Association with members like Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and others.”

On the alleged N23 million from Globacom, Owumi said it was untrue, stating that the club owners had no contractual terms with the company.

He explained that during the 2007 congress of the NPL, a motion was passed and adopted that one percent of the title sponsorship fee should be remitted to the club owners association.

“The money in question is meant to cover hotel accommodation and flight tickets of the club owners during matters relating to the congress meetings,” he explained.