FOIA summons NPFL director over StarTimes’ 1.6 billion naira contract
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More trouble for the leadership of the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), especially chairman Gbenga Elegbelai, following a Freedom of Information and Advocacy Initiative (FOIA) investigation into the controversial N1.6 billion contract may have occurred. The organization has signed a deal with Chinese company StarTimes for broadcast rights for the domestic soccer league.
The NPFL, in collaboration with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), signed the deal in Abuja a few weeks ago, but it did not sit well with some Nigerians.
However, the FOIA weighed in on the matter and required Elegbelai and other parties involved in the StarTimes deal to tell Nigerians the story within seven days.
Letter signed by FOIA Project Director Chris Durden. Reference number: FOIA/2023/NPFL/0010. Gbenga Elegbelai, obtained by the Guardian, said: “We have been following the recent announcement you made together with NFF Chairman Ibrahim Gusau and other senior officials from the Chinese Embassy in Abuja, where you announced StarTimes as the NFF’s exclusive broadcast partner. I did.” NPFL. In view of the above, and pursuant to sections 2(1-4) and 7 of the Freedom of Information Act (2011) (as amended), we are concerned with the arduous process to which his NPFL Chairman alluded. Masu. .
“We hereby request that you (or the person responsible for the information) within 7 days, (I) copy the advertisement published in a national newspaper so that interested potential partners can submit bids and proposals. You are invited to submit: (II) the date and place of the opening of tenders and proposals submitted, and (iii) the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPE) or other relevant government that granted the (iii) waiver; Copy of authorization letter from the institution) and (II) above (if applicable).”
Yesterday, the Guardian learned that the FOIA letter was delivered to Elegbelai’s office at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja during the week. However, no one from the league itself was willing to speak out on this issue.
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Source: guardian.ng