Despite an arbitration ruling in favor of three players against Abia Warriors FC, the club has failed to fully settle their indebtedness after ten months, Sports247 reports.
In June 2024, the Nigeria Football Federation Players Status and Arbitration Committee (PSAC) ruled in favor of Alegbe Victor, Ikedinachi Nwakanma, and Obinna Julius against Abia Warriors.
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The three players were awarded a total of ₦12 million in compensation for overdue salaries during their stay at the club; Alegbe Victor is due to receive ₦5 million, Ikedinachi Nwakanma die for ₦4 million, and Obinna Julius salary’s debt is ₦3 million, to be paid within 45 days from the date, the PSAC issues the decisions 12th July 2024.
However, as of March 26 2025, ten months after the ruling, Abia Warriors, under the leadership of John Obuh, have only partially complied with the PSAC’s ruling, paying ₦6 million out of the total ₦12 million owed to the three players.
This is a flagrant disregard to the ruling and judgment of the PSAC, which directed that the club cannot field newly signed players in the NPFL until full compliance is met otherwise, risk points deduction from the NPFL.
With only eight matches left in the season, the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) has failed to implement point deductions or prevent Abia Warriors from fielding newly signed players, who have become ineligible due to the PSAC’s ruling.
This inaction by the NPFL can be seen as encouraging lawlessness and impunity in the league, or aiding and abetting clubs’ indebtedness to the detriment of the league.
The NFF PSAC are silent and have never questioned or shown any concerns on the disregard for an unambiguous ruling of the body set up the NFF.
Has the NFF PSAC led by Otunba Sunday Dele Ajayi turned to a toothless bulldog that barks without bitting? Their silence over the action of the NPFL is disturbing and questionable
