Forgery is a grievous criminal offense under Nigerian law, and the case involving Mr. Jibril Ogih Saidu and the fraudulent reappointment letter as Chairman of the Handball Association of Kogi State is no exception. The evidence already made available to the public—including categorical denials by the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer and Mr. Adejoh Akowe, the Director of Sports whose name and signature were fraudulently affixed to the letter—makes this a clear-cut case of criminal intent. According to Section 362 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act, forgery is the act of making a false document or altering a genuine one with the intention of using it to deceive or cause harm. Section 364 prescribes a penalty of up to 14 years imprisonment for anyone found guilty of such an offense.
This action by Mr. Saidu and any collaborators is not only unlawful but dangerous to the very foundation of public service and institutional credibility. By deliberately crafting and circulating a falsified document purportedly from a government ministry, these individuals have attempted to usurp public authority through fraudulent means. They sought to secure an illegitimate position within a legally recognized sports structure without going through the statutory and administrative processes required by the Nigeria Handball Federation and the Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sports. This is not merely a civil issue—it is a criminal offense that strikes at the core of governance and integrity in the state.
Furthermore, the actions of Mr. Saidu violate the rules and procedures of the Nigeria Handball Federation (NHF), which governs the structure, leadership, and administration of handball at all levels within the federation. Reappointments of chairpersons or executives of state associations must be subjected to vetting, approvals, and ratification by both the relevant state authorities and the national governing body. By forging a letter and falsely presenting himself as the reappointed chairman, Mr. Saidu bypassed this due process and fraudulently portrayed himself as a duly recognized authority. This has the potential to destabilize the operations of the sport, damage the reputation of the Federation, and mislead sponsors, athletes, and the general public.
Equally troubling is the attempt to use this forgery to mislead government authorities and gain access to privileges and responsibilities associated with public office. This act amounts to gross abuse of public trust. Holding a position within a government-supported association like the Handball Federation implies access to government resources, representation at national and international events, and participation in policy-making. Therefore, this type of forgery could have resulted in the unlawful disbursement of state funds or misrepresentation of the state in official capacities. Such deceptive tactics are dangerous and must be treated with the utmost seriousness.
What makes the matter even more suspicious and disturbing is the continued silence of the Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sports, particularly the Honourable Commissioner, Mr. Monday Anyebe. Despite the fact that senior officers within the Ministry have disowned the reappointment and denied the authenticity of the document, the Commissioner has failed to issue any public statement or clarification. This failure to respond is not only disappointing; it is legally and ethically questionable. Public officers are constitutionally obligated to uphold transparency, accountability, and due process in all matters. The silence of the Commissioner creates the impression that the Ministry may either be compromised or unwilling to take a stand against forgery and misconduct within its own jurisdiction.
Such a stance could be interpreted as a form of complicity or a willful neglect of official duty. Under the Nigerian Constitution and the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, such conduct is condemnable. When the leadership of a public institution fails to uphold truth and justice, it erodes public confidence in that institution. The sports sector in Kogi State, which should be a beacon of youth development, discipline, and community pride, is being tainted by this glaring inaction. At a time when sports should unite and inspire, this silence is loud and shameful.
The most alarming development in this saga is the reported attempt to intimidate those who have dared to expose the forgery. There are credible reports that legal action or court summons are being directed not at the forgers but at the complainants—those who have demanded accountability. This is a direct assault on the democratic principle of freedom of expression and the right to expose wrongdoing. Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and the right of every citizen to express opinions and expose corruption in the public interest. Furthermore, the Whistleblower Protection Policy, launched by the Federal Government in 2016, was specifically designed to encourage citizens to speak out against wrongdoing without fear of retaliation.
If indeed stakeholders who raised the alarm are now being targeted with threats or legal action, then the entire justice system in this case is being turned on its head. It becomes a scenario where criminals are protected, and patriots are persecuted. Such an environment is unhealthy for governance, development, and justice. It sends a chilling message to civil society that accountability is punishable and that impunity is rewarded.
In view of the above, we reaffirm our demand that Mr. Jibril Saidu and all those involved in this criminal act be immediately arrested and prosecuted. The matter is not simply about a handball position—it is about the future of integrity in public service. We also insist that the Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sports, through the Honourable Commissioner, issue a clear and unambiguous statement disowning the forged letter and affirming the official position of the Ministry. Any further delay in this regard can only be interpreted as a deliberate effort to shield wrongdoers.
Finally, we call on His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, to intervene decisively. As a leader known for his commitment to due process and youth development, this case provides a litmus test for his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption and forgery. We also call on the Nigeria Handball Federation, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and anti-corruption agencies such as the EFCC and ICPC to ensure that justice is done.
No one is above the law. Those who falsify documents to gain power must face the full wrath of the law. Those who stay silent in the face of forgery are complicit in the crime. And those who try to silence whistleblowers must be resisted.
The battle for truth, transparency, and integrity in Kogi State’s sports sector has begun. We will not back down. We will not be intimidated. And we will not stop until justice prevails.
Signed:
Legal Advisory Team for Concerned Stakeholders for Sports Integrity
Date: July 8, 2025.
