Following the conclusion of the investigative panel set up by the former Minister of Sports John Enoh, the Athletics Federation of Nigeria has been ordered to pay Favour Ofili $5000 compensation fee.
Ofili’s name was missing from the 100 meter of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
“The committee stated in its findings: “Conflicting evidence” showed that the omission of Ofili’s name “is traceable to any one of the following organisations: Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), World Athletics (WA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC)”.
Rita Mosindi, the Secretary General of the AFN, and Samuel Onikeku, the Technical Director, were recommended for sanctions due to their roles in Favour Ofili’s omission from the 100m event.
In its recommendation to the government, the panel stated of Onikeku
“The Technical Director of the federation, Samuel Onikeku, should be sanctioned by the AFN Board of which he’s a member,” the report read.
“Onikeku is being recommended for sanction for not reporting the “hint” and “rumours” he heard regarding Ofili’s non-registration for the 100m event, reflecting his poor judgment in the matter.
The Secretary General of the AFN, Rita Mosindi, was also recommended for sanction. The panel stated:
“The Secretary General of the AFN, Rita Mosindi, should be penalized by the appropriate authority for negligence in her duties. She was unable to provide convincing evidence to our committee to support her claim that she submitted important documents relating to the registration of the athlete, Favour Ofili, in the 100m, to the NOC.”
The committee recommended that the AFN compensate Ofili with $5000 (N8 million) for the disappointment and depression she experienced due to her omission from the event.
