Sanchi panel: This is victimisation, intimidation

Guest Report from Rasheed Balogun

Victimisation and intimidation: Sometimes when authority speaks the words are louder in one’s ears than any auditory sound blaster. But the intent and impact of such pronouncements invites strong criticisms, sentiments and branding of the speaker on behalf of the authority.

I found myself responding to the Sports Minister’s well intended effort to cleanse NSC by instituting a panel made up of a jurist, NSC lawyer and Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) Board member (who also is NSC employee named Gloria Obajimi nee Ayanlaja) plus may be some more people.

The circumstances concern London Olympics ‘bribery for entry to represent Nigeria’ at the Olympics, although the sports Minister failed to supply the definition of bribery or ask the ‘athlete’ (Esther Obiekwe) to be represented by legal Counsel which is imperative because NSC has its lawyer to sit on such panel and AFN Board member also have a seat (this is a typical kangaroo justice).

Whether meritorious or not the allegation invites full investigation with documentary evidences on both sides not only the athlete because to do otherwise is victimising the athlete.

Quite frankly, the definition (whether legal or moral) of bribery will include athletes’ that were shortchanged on allowances due them for any type of favour before the Olympics (that is all competitions) which definitely invites all Olympics’ athletes’ presence before the panel.

For one thing there were many allegations that some coaches were simply threatened and some athletes were intimidated on fear of being dropped for Olympics consideration.

Problem with the panel

1.       NSC stacked the panel with its own staff (its lawyer, Gloria Obajimi from NSC from NIS and also AFN Board member);

2.       NSC truncated the universality of the allegation to one athlete complaint;

3.       NSC denied the athlete time to prepare her complaint with legal Counsel;

4.       The panel lacked independence. 

Solution: Ideally, this is a serious allegation dealing with all Olympics bound athletes (and federations) and dealing with a complainant this way suggests scapegoating, victimisation and intimidation. Essentially, no athletes will file any future complaint. As such, it will be in Nigerians interest if the following are adhered to:

1.       NSC immediately recall the panel and institute new independent panel which may or not include the current jurist on the current panel;

2.       NSC must give the athlete time to present her complaint with legal Counsel if she so wish;

3.       No federation or NSC staff or lawyer can sit on any future panel;

4.       NSC must expand the term of reference to look into all allegations against London Olympics officials whether about money, favouritism or intimidations;

5.       NSC must invite all athletes to speak freely on any account of concern they wish to raise.

With these suggestions in mind, any jurist properly empaneled will come up with additional requirements to truly investigate bribery allegations.

Let me add that, the media gave the Nigerian public announcements that the athlete was on the Olympics team and how she made that team should be a concern to the Sports Minister not just her allegation of bribery (prima facie the allegation may have been proven) because an intelligent person would like to know how AFN made statements to the media that she was on Olympics team.

Personally, I and some other people questioned her inclusion on the listed names before the Olympics and I doubt sincerity in this panel investigation, but it’s a welcome development that ought to be done properly not what was announced because it appears to be a sham and aimed to intimidate and victimise other athletes.

I rest.

Dr. Rashid A. Balogun, CPA, LLB(Hons.), LLM(London)