The Ebonyi State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission has called on Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to urgently intervene and sanitize the administration of Abakaliki Football Club following the discovery of what it described as systemic irregularities, financial exploitation of players, and entrenched governance failures within the state-owned football club.
The call followed the conclusion of a preliminary investigation initiated by the Commission in January 2026 after receiving multiple complaints concerning the welfare of players, financial management practices, and administrative conduct within the club popularly known as “De Rice Boys.”
Addressing journalists in Abakaliki, the Investigative Officer and Commissioner of the Commission, Barr. Chukwuorji Igodo, disclosed that the probe uncovered a pattern of alleged unauthorized deductions from players’ entitlements, which investigators say constitute a serious breach of financial accountability and ethical standards expected in publicly funded sporting institutions.
According to the Commission, the club’s coach allegedly imposed an initial 10 percent deduction on players’ allowances before later converting the levy into a fixed monthly charge of ₦50,000 per player. The Commission described the deductions as “unauthorized, coercive, and exploitative,” noting that they had significantly affected the morale and welfare of the players.
Igodo stated that the practice not only undermines the professional integrity of the club but also violates fundamental principles governing the management of public sports institutions.
Beyond the financial allegations, the Commission also raised concerns about questionable technical and administrative decisions affecting the composition of the team.
Investigators alleged that eight indigenous players from Ebonyi State were abruptly removed from the squad and replaced with players recruited from neighbouring Enugu State under circumstances that, according to the Commission, appeared inconsistent with transparent sporting criteria.
The anti-corruption body said it is in possession of documentary records and a detailed list of the affected players as part of its evidentiary findings.
The Commission further alleged that attempts to hold the coach accountable were repeatedly frustrated by what it described as a powerful syndicate operating behind the scenes to shield him from scrutiny.
According to Igodo, the Commission formally invited the coach to appear before investigators to respond to the allegations. However, the invitation was allegedly ignored.
Similarly, an invitation extended to the state Commissioner for Youth and Sports to provide administrative clarification on the management of the club reportedly received no response.
Following several weeks of non-compliance, the Commission said it initiated lawful procedures to effect the arrest of the coach in accordance with its statutory investigative mandate.
However, the planned enforcement action was reportedly halted after a senior police officer attached to the Governor’s Office contacted the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations who is currently acting as Commissioner of Police and directed that no officer should proceed with the matter.
The directive subsequently led to the suspension of the planned arrest.
Despite the development, the Commission emphasized that there is no evidence to suggest that the intervention was authorized by Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru.
Rather, the anti-corruption body suggested that certain individuals may be acting in their personal interests while attempting to invoke perceived political protection.
Igodo expressed concern that such actions risk undermining the governor’s broader vision for sports development in Ebonyi State.
He noted that the establishment of Abakaliki Football Club formed part of the administration’s broader youth empowerment and sports revitalization agenda aimed at promoting grassroots talent development, fostering unity among young people, and projecting a positive sporting image for the state.
According to the Commission, any form of administrative misconduct within the club threatens to erode public confidence in government-funded sports initiatives and could jeopardize the long-term sustainability of the project.
The Commission therefore urged Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru to initiate an immediate administrative review of the club’s management structure, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and ensure that the welfare and rights of players are adequately protected.
Igodo reiterated the Commission’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and the rule of law, emphasizing that the investigation would be pursued to its logical conclusion regardless of institutional or political pressures.
He also called on stakeholders in sports administration, civil society, and youth development organizations to support efforts aimed at restoring integrity and professionalism in the management of sports institutions across Ebonyi State.
The Commission maintained that sanitizing the administration of the club would not only protect the governor’s sports development vision but also reaffirm the state government’s commitment to accountability and good governance.
