In the last two weeks, Nigeria sports minister Solomon Dalung has been at the forefront of campaigns, aimed at tarnishing the image of key football administrators, alleging that the economic and financial crimes commission are in desperate look out for them over allegation of misappropriation of public funds,National Daily learnt.
Just when it is looking like the Jos born sports administrator is the only saint walking, fresh allegations have now emerged, alleging that Dalung diverted monies amounting to over 250million naira gathered as part of his world cup fund raising campaign.
One of the documents allegedly signed by two ex-internationals used by the Plateau state born chief during the rigorous fundraising campaign, clearly stated that over 1.2 billion naira was raised for the purpose of supporting the NFF world cup campaign but apart from a few committee members who were on the trip to Russia and benefitted from the largesse others were left in the dark as to how the monies were expended.
Just two weeks ago, Nigerian newspapers were littered with screaming headlines, as members of the world cup fundraising committee alleged gross misappropriation of public funds against the minister who stayed in a five star luxury hotel in Russia alongside his strong delegation of over thirty persons.
As if that was not enough, there is yet another very serious allegation from persons who had more than five direct transactions with the minister during the period of the world cup.
According to leaked information gathered from our very privileged informant, Dalung had ignorantly negotiated percentage cut with a few individuals working directly under him without any knowledge that his voice was being recorded.
In one of such recordings, he was asking for his cut from monies meant for ticketing, claiming that he needed such to pursue his 2019 political ambition.
In a related development, a top official of the Nigeria football federation who was listed by the sports ministry as one of those wanted by the EFFC in relation to alleged misappropriation of funds, has started sending very revealing text messages around, accusing the sports minister of extortion, funds diversion, bribery and corruption.
President Mohammadu Buhari is strongly against any act of corruption from members of his cabinet and will not find these latest allegations against Dalung, one of his trusted minister’s, funny.
Dalung is already in line as one of fifteen ministers to be given new portfolios or relieved of their posts in the forthcoming cabinet reshuffle which will see to sweeping changes in government ahead of the 2019 presidential race.