Nigerian referees caught red handed in alleged match fixing scandal

It is like a tradition in sports when you accuse referees of taking bribe, you are wont to be asked to provide convincing evidence(s). Here is a typical evidenced-based set of referees caught right in the act. These referees were caught in the official vehicle belonging to an away team. This was the league fixture between Lobi Stars of Makurdi versus Sunshine Stars FC of Akure scheduled for Bauchi, which has been the home of Lobi since the beginning of the current season.

They were caught in a Peugeot car with registration number OD 650A01. Due to the security situation in the country, there are military check points on the route. In one of the check points, where the General Manager of the home team, Lobi Stars FC, Dominic Iorfa, was travelling from his Makurdi base to the home, Bauchi. On getting to the check point, he was promptly waved to continue his journey when he spotted the branded car of Sunshine Stars FC. In an effort to facilitate the military men to pass the Sunshine Stars vehicle, he spotted the match officials designated to run his home game. The match commissioner was not in the vehicle.

That was when he took some pictures with them. This was a day before the game in Bauchi. Now, the officials realised the game is up against them. They quickly made contacts and also called the match commissioner with an alibi that the Jos crisis did not allow them cross over to Bauchi.

By the next day, the referees that were to officiate the game have been changed and new ones ordered for the match. The names of the original match officials for the game who were spotted inside the Sunshine Stars FC official vehicle are: Santos Okoro from Imo State who was designated to be the centre referee in the match; Auwalu Barau from Kaduna State who was supposed to be the Assistant Referee I, and, Mr. I. Durunna from Abia State who was to be the Assistant Referee II.

NB: A careful look at the pictures, the time they were taken and date are enough data to show that these match officials were up to some sinister moves to probably influence the result of the match in skewed direction. 

With these evidences, the question on the lips of people who are following the gamein the country is, can the authorities of the game be bold enough to investigate these matters within the principle of fair hearing, come out with clear cut sanctions to prevent further and other acts like this?

Methinks and candidly speaking, these things will never stop. It is a known practise in our football. Remember how an amateur side, Olutayo Bbaes FC of Ilorin that went for the play off were violently smuggled out of their well deserved victory and replaced with a team that has godfather. justice is extant to our game. 

we are waiting and watching how this, like many others, will be covered up again. I will not be shocked if these referees are promoted or and handed bigger matches to handle in the nearest future.