SWAN NEC sets up committee to verify allegations against member
The National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) has set up a three-member committee to look into allegations levelled against one of its members.
This was contained in a release made available to SWAN members by the Secretary General of the Association, Olawale Alabi on Thursday.
The affected member, Mr Ben Ogbemudia who is the Zonal Secretary, SWAN South-South Zone, has been handed various forms of disciplinary action by the Nigeria National League (NNL), including an indefinite suspension from his role as Media Officer of Bendel Insurance FC of Benin.
This follows the allegation that he threw stones at the centre referee of the club’s 2016/2017 Nigeria National League (NNL) Match Day 31 fixture against UNICEM Rovers of Calabar.
He was also alleged to have slapped the match’s Second Assistant Referee, and was thereafter asked to appear before NNL’s Compliance Arm yesterday to defend himself.
The SWAN NEC, at an emergency meeting, therefore resolved that a committee be set up to look into the allegations and advise accordingly.
The committee has Mr Alloy Chukwuemeka, a National Ex-Officio Member, as Chairman, with the Deputy President, Malam Umar Sa’id, and National Financial secretary, Chigozie Chukwuleta, as the other members.
The committee is to report back to NEC after seven days.
SWAN President Honour Sirawoo, in his comments on the decision, said NEC took the decision to underline its seriousness in restoring the dignity of the association.
“Our Association is a body that comprises impartial judges and unbiased people, who in their role as the watchdog of the sports society should live above board and act without sentiments,’’ the SWAN President had said.
