Sani Lulu, a former Chairman, Nigeria Football Association (NFA), has pleaded with President Jonathan to intervene in the corruption charges levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions (EFCC).
Lulu, who made the plea on Thursday, also extended it to President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari.
The appeal comes on the heels of the delay in dispensing judgment on the matter at the Federal High Court where his trial is taking place.
The former NFA boss told newsmen in Abuja that he was free of the allegations levelled against him by the EFCC, pointing out that “delay of justice could mean him being denied justice’’.
“I have consistently in the last five years said that I am innocent of these allegations; I have written letters and spoken to Nigerians that I am not corrupt.
“I use this opportunity to congratulate the President-elect Muhammadu Buhari and all the other politicians that have come to govern this country in their respective areas.
“I think that God is bringing people that will address this issue but I pray that before May 29, the incumbent government, led by President Jonathan should be able to address this matter.
“Buhari has promised to fight corruption in this country and I think this is a sign that God is working in my favour,’’ Lulu said.
Lulu also noted that the N2.8 billion he left in the coffers of the Nigeria Football Association (NFA) would vindicate him from the charges against him.
“This is a very sensitive matter because I left N2.8 billion in the NFA coffers, so, I need justice,’’ he said.
He regretted the deceit propagated by those that impeached him from office, noting that his impeachment was the genesis of his current challenge in court.
He said: “We were misled to withdraw our case from Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) because we love our country; I am pained, but these are challenges one has to face in life.
“I am facing this challenge because I love my country and I am taking it in good fate but at the appropriate time God will address it through those he has chosen to rescue us.
“You saw the crowd that attended the court hearing and this is a sign that things are beginning to work positively for this country.
“During my impeachment, NFA board then, told Nigerians that they were going to withdraw all court cases and that they will appeal to us to withdraw our case in CAS too.
“They used Isa Hayatou, the CAF President to appeal to us and we respected international football and withdrew from CAS the case of our unlawful impeachment because we wanted football to grow in this country.
“But surprisingly, the NFA reneged on the agreement; it’s a sad situation but I still say that at the appropriate time, God will do what he has to do.
“The case is still before the court and I am patiently waiting to see what the ruling will look like.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Lulu, Bolaji Ojo-Oba, a former Secretary-General of the NFA and former board member, Taiwo Ogunjobi, are facing corruption charges on account of their stewardship while in office.
Amanze Uchegbulam, a former NFA Vice-Chairman is among those answering charges brought against the quartet by the EFCC at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
The former NFA chieftains are standing trial on an eight count charge ranging from misappropriation of 2010 World Cup funds and purchase of two Marcopolo buses without following due process.
They are also standing trial for the distribution of World Cup tickets, paying estacodes and allowances to 220 Nigerians that went to watch the 2010 World Cup in South Africa among others.
Lulu, accused of misappropriating N2 billion had maintained that he left N2.8 billion in NFA coffers when he was impeached by the NFA board on June 2, 2010.
