NPL Chairman in match-fixing scandal

Baribote, NPL Chairman

The chairman of the Nigeria Premier League (NPL), Victor Rumson Baribote, is in the storm again. This time around, it is the charges of match-fixing, a grievous offence in football. The charges are coming from within his own camp with damning evidences which are detailed with names of persons and events.

In a 12-page letter written by Comrade Prince Udofia dated 11^th July, 2012 addressed to all board members of the Nigeria Premier League, titled: “PETITION AGAINST NPL CHAIRMAN CHIEF RUMSON VICTOR BARIBOTE FOR COMMITTING IMPEACHABLE OFFENCES AND EMBARASSING THE NPL AND NFF WITH OFFENSIVE CONDUCT”, Udofia claimed to be a member of the Association of Professional Footballers of Nigeria (APFON).

He added, “I am one of the committed people that stood up and fought for Chief Rumson Victor Baribote in his struggle to wrestle his mandate from Mr. Davidson Owumi.

His words: “I am petitioning against Chief Baribote now because his performance in office has instead of promoting the growth of the NPL as we planned, caused a serious downslide in the NPL such that people like us are totally disappointed and have to speak out now. Udofia laid 15 grounds of impeachment of his friend, Baribote.

In his letter, Udofia claimed, “the unlawful directive given to Barrister Iyke Igbokwe, Vice Chairman of NFF disciplinary committee by Chief Baribote to ensure that Sunshine Stars F.C. Akure was relegated using the two matches: Lobi Stars VS Sunshine Stars and ABS VS Sunshine Stars; I and Mr. Jonah Chukwu were there when Baribote was scolding Barrister Igbokwe for not implementing the relegation of Sunshine Stars at the NFF Disciplinary Committee Hearing.

Another case he brought up against Baribote was to the “Match commissioner of the Ocean Boys VS Enyimba match in Yenagoa, to ensure that Ocean Boys F.C. wins the match at all costs (which the Match Commissioner duly reported in his match report).” If this is true and proven, for the NPL Chairman to directly intervene in the conduct and eventual outcome of a match, it is match fixing according to Article 4.5 of NPL Rules and Regulation 2011/2012 season.

There is a third charge of match-fixing against the NPL Chairman. Udofia asserted that “last season, as Chairman of Bayelsa United, he bulldozed into a match involving Gabros FC and Rising Stars FC in a National League match that did not concern him or his club. Baribote sealed a fifteen million Naira (N15,000,000) agreement with Gabros FC who did not have money to play the match to enable Gabros FC honour the match.

Baribote entered into that agreement to ensure that Rising Stars lost the match so his club (Bayelsa United FC) could beat Rising Stars to the promotion ticket to the Premier League. Up till now, Gabros FC is still demanding the money from both Baribote and Bayelsa State government who is the sponsor of Bayelsa United to no avail.