LOC board: ‘We can’t account for N12bn’ – Daily Trust
November 19, 2009 by Bunmi Awolusi
The Federal Government’s stated intention to probe the accounts of the Local Organising Committee of the 2009 FIFA U-17 World Cup gained impetus yesterday when the LOC’s board headed by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Sani Lulu Abdullahi distanced itself from the handling of funds by the LOC Secretariat.
The Board said the total funds that the Sub-Seats and the 15 Sub-Committees got out of the N13b released by the Federal Government to the LOC Secretariat was N900m. It has nothing to do with the remaining balance of N12.1billion and cannot account for it, the board also said.
Although he is a member of the Board of the LOC by virtue of his position as Vice-Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Local Organizing Committee, the board said Mallam Mainasara Illo refused to attend any of the meetings held by the Board to discuss issues relating to the money released by the government.
Daily Trust could not reach Illo for comments last night, but when contacted, the LOC’s General Manager, Media Relations Emeka Odikpo declined comments, saying he cannot speak on the matter.
