Oshodi, ex-board members face fresh sanctions in judo crisis

The Caretaker Committee of the Nigeria Judo Federation has proposed fresh sanctions, including a suspension of up to five years, against members of the former board led by Dr Musa Oshodi, and has flagged their eligibility for the forthcoming elective General Assembly, The PUNCH reports.

The committee, acting on the mandate of the National Sports Commission, made this known in a statement released on Wednesday and made available to our correspondent.

The notice, dated October 21, 2026, was addressed to state associations, athletes, coaches, referees, technical officials and other stakeholders. It covers the former president, the first and second vice presidents, the six zonal representatives, the athletes’ representative and the technical representative. The committee said the eligibility of each person would be determined individually under the federation’s statutes, electoral regulations and any valid disciplinary decision.

The committee listed several grounds for review. These include alleged non-compliance with the commission’s governance regulations, a misreading of institutional autonomy, and the alleged circulation of misleading statements disputing the official dissolution of the former board. It also cited alleged breaches of fiduciary and administrative responsibilities.

On the database allegations, the committee said, “Serious concerns have been raised regarding the alleged registration of persons without genuine judo affiliation or sporting credentials on the official IJF database, reportedly for purposes connected with international sporting participation and visa applications.”

It said any allegation of visa fraud, forgery, human trafficking or other crimes must be referred to the competent investigative authorities, adding that nobody should be treated as criminally liable on the strength of an allegation alone.

On the suspension, the committee said any former board member found to have committed serious misconduct after a fair and properly authorised disciplinary process could be referred to the competent authority for sanctions.

“Any former Board member found, following a fair and properly authorised disciplinary process, to have committed serious misconduct be referred to the competent authority for consideration of appropriate sanctions, which may include suspension from eligible NJF governance and electoral activities for a period of up to five (5) years, where permitted by the applicable statutes and regulations,” the notice read in part.

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It stressed that the proposal was not yet final.

“For the avoidance of doubt, a proposed sanction shall not be treated as a final five-year ban unless and until it has been validly imposed by the authority empowered to do so,” the notice stated.

On the elections, the committee said, “No person shall be permitted to participate contrary to a valid electoral disqualification or disciplinary decision, and no individual shall be excluded without a lawful basis.”

The notice also warned stakeholders against harassment, intimidation and deliberate misinformation, and urged them to use official channels for complaints. It said legitimate complaints and protected reporting of wrongdoing were not prohibited.

The committee, chaired by Sheriff Hammed, said its mandate was transitional.

“This process is not intended to target any individual or faction. It is intended to ensure accountability, fairness, transparency and respect for the rules governing Nigerian judo,” the notice read.

The National Sports Commission approved the committee on October 9 after the International Judo Federation dissolved the federation’s board. It is tasked with amending the constitution, convening an Annual General Meeting and organising elections.