Athletics Federation president impeached over missing $135,000

The hunt for the missing $135,000 belonging to the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) has claimed its first victim, the president of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Ibrahim Gusau.

Gusau was impeached by the board of AFN following his alleged role in the $135, 000, erroneously paid to the country two years ago by the world athletics body, IAAF.

Seven out of 12 board members of the AFN impeached Gusau in the office of the immediate past Sports Minister, Solomon Dalung, in Abuja, yesterday.

One of the board members, Brown Ebewele told The Guardian shortly after the meeting that they decided to “sweep Gusau aside” to enable the board carry out proper investigation into the circumstances surrounding the ‘missing’ IAAF money.

“Seven of us signed the letter asking Gusau to step aside,” Ebewele said. “One of the board members, Fidelis Gadzama had been in the United Kingdom since we came on board, meaning only 12 of us have been active.

“Sunday Adeleye was here, but he refused to sign the letter. We have the consent of other board members and we are conscious of the rules. We are also conscious that the AFN is under a supervising ministry. We are going into another meeting now to set up a committee that will investigate how Gusau and a few people in the AFN spent the IAAF money,” Ebewele stated.

Asked if Nigeria had refunded the IAAF $135, 000, as the deadline given by the world body expired yesterday, Ebewele said: “Yes, the sports minister has communicated with the president of IAAF on the issue and they reached an agreement. The IAAF is no longer sanctioning Nigeria.”