BY IKPO IGBINOBA
The executive board of the Nigeria Boxing Federation, NBF on Monday announced the indefinite suspension of its vice-president, Mr. Azania Omo-Agege.
In a press statement signed by the Secretary General of the federation, Dapo Akinyele, the decision to suspend the controversial vice-president was taken at the board meeting held on Saturday November 11, 2023.
The Vice-president incurred the wrath of the board for allegedly impersonating the President, Lt. Gen. Kenneth Minimah(rtd), forging the letterhead of the federation and lying to the International Boxing Association that General Minimah had ceased to be the President of the NBF.
In the press statement, the sins which the controversial Omo-Agege was accused of were listed as follows
- Impersonating the NBF President an act which could be confirmed by various Presidents and the President of the Africa Boxing Confederation.
- Forgery and printing of the NBF letter head papers.
- Refusal to brief the incumbent President on the outcome of meetings at AFBC and IBA.
- Claim that the President, Gen.Minimah had ceased to be the President according to the constitution is null and void and embarrassing.
- Constituted himself into a one-man parallel body against the majority of the board who affirmed the decision to join the world boxing body as a step in the right direction for the growth of boxing.
The federation served a notice of more severe sanctions against Omo-Agege for the very grievous infractions.
However, he could be spared the banishment for life from boxing which several stakeholders are canvassing if he took advantage of the opportunity offered by the board.
In a message pointedly addressed to the embattled Omo-Agege, the federation gave him twenty one days to repent or face more severe action.
The message read “You are hereby requested to address the following within twenty one days, otherwise the board will be compelled to take severe action against you at the next meeting”.
The board requested the out of favour vice president to take the following steps if he must avert the more severe sanctions.
- Withdraw the letter written to IBA on Nigeria.
- Withdraw the suit against the world body.
- Issue a press release denouncing your earlier release.
- Written apology to the President, Gen.Minimah.
- Written apology to the Board members.
Meanwhile, stakeholders have passed a vote of confidence on Gen.Minimah and lauded his enormous contributions to the growth of boxing in Nigeria.
