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By Andrew Abah
The Nigeria Sports Commission (NSC) has formally inaugurated two vital committees —the Election Petitions Committee and the Election Appeals Committee—as part of its strategic effort to ensure transparency, fairness, and integrity in the conduct of sports federation elections.
In line with international standards and its renewed commitment to excellence in sports governance, the leadership of the NSC selected respected legal professionals, administrators, and media practitioners with exceptional track records to serve on these committees.
*Members of the Election Petitions Committee*
*Barrister Denen Ikyaa (Chairman)*
Barr. Ikyaa is ahighly respected legal professional and sports ethics expert. He currently serves as a member of the Ethics Committee of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the global governing body for motorsport. He is also a former member of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Appeals Committee, where he played an instrumental role in adjudicating critical electoral matters.
*Barrister Chike Onyeacho (Member)*
He is a seasoned legal practitioner with deep insights into electoral jurisprudence.
*Mr. Paul Esheyigba (Member)*
As an astute professional, Mr Esheyigba brings strong experience in administrative oversight and legal compliance.
*Mr. Niyi Alabi Aliebiosu (Member)*
Mr. Aliebiosu is the Sports Editor at the Nigerian Tribune, one of Nigeria’s leading newspapers. He brings a wealth of journalistic credibility and an extensive understanding of the dynamics of sports governance.
*Miss Linda Akalugwa (Member/Secretary)*
Miss Akalugwa is a dedicated legal professional who will serve as a the secretary of the Committee. Her dual role as secretary and member positions her as a critical figure in ensuring administrative precision and procedural fairness throughout the committee’s work.
*The Election Appeals Committee*
*A.U. Mustapha, SAN (Chairman)*
A.U. Mustapha, SAN, is a renowned Senior Advocate of Nigeria with decades of experience in legal arbitration and sports law. He is a former two-time Chairman of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Appeals Committee (2016–2024) and previously chaired the NFF Electoral Committee in 2010, earning wide acclaim for his impartiality and expertise.
*Barrister Chris Umar, SAN (Member)*
He is the former Solicitor-General of Kaduna State, whose legal acumen and government service background further strengthen the legal backbone of the committee.
*Barrister Owoicho Adejo-Ogiri (Member)*
Barr. Adejo-Ogiri is an international sports law expert who currently serves as a judge on both the FIA International Tribunal and the FIA International Court of Appeal. He is also a former member of the NFF Disciplinary Committee, where he demonstrated a commitment to integrity and due process.
*Mrs. Prisca Ngozi Udoka, SAN (Member)*
Mrs Udoka, SAN, is one of Nigeria’s most accomplished legal minds. She is the founder and principal partner at Perazim Law Partners, Abuja. A Harvard Law School-trained advanced mediator, she has represented several high-profile clients in contractual, electoral, and pre-electoral litigation. Notably, she was part of the legal team that successfully secured a full four-year term for then-Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State. She also serves as a strategic legal and business adviser to major financial institutions, including First Bank Nigeria Plc and FCMB Plc.
*Mr. Lateef Olatunji Surakatu (Secretary)*
Mr. Surakatu is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and an affiliate of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). He is currently the Partner and Head of Business Advisory Practice at Andersen in Nigeria. With over two decades of experience in audit, advisory, and tax, Mr. Surakatu is widely recognized for his ethical leadership, technical excellence, and dedication to people-centered governance.