₦70m Grudge: Harrison Jalla Replies Amaju Pinnick, Insists He’s Acting in Self-Defence

The Chairman of Advocacy for Nigeria Football Reform Initiative, Prince Harrison Jalla, has responded to allegations that he is holding a ₦70 million grudge against former NFF President, Amaju Pinnick, saying he is only defending himself.

Jalla, in a right of reply titled “Re: The ₦70 Million Naira Grudge: Why Can’t Harrison Jalla Just Let Amaju Pinnick Go? — I Am Only Defending Myself”, dismissed claims that he bid for a ₦70 million NFF project as false.

“Let us assume, but not concede, that I even bidded for a ₦70 million public project, as is being falsely propagated. Is that a crime? I am not even a contractor and have never been,” Jalla said.

The reaction comes amid reports circulating on social media alleging that Jalla’s long-running criticism of Pinnick stemmed from a failed contract bid.

Background of the dispute

Findings by BIGPEN from court records show the rift dates back to 2021. According to a THISDAYLIVE report on suit No. FHC/WR/49c/2021, the Nigeria Police filed a 5-count charge against Jalla for alleged cybercrime, extortion and defamation against Pinnick. 0da6

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In the charge, police alleged that Jalla, between March 2016 and March 2021 in Warri, sent false electronic messages to cause annoyance to Pinnick and accused him of financial fraud against the NFF with intent to extort money. 0da6

Jalla was arrested in Lagos and transferred to Warri, and was granted bail after three days in police custody, according to THISDAY. He was later remanded in Sapele Prison for seven days before perfecting bail conditions which he described as stringent. 7f7d

Jalla’s counter-allegations

Jalla alleged that it is Pinnick who has been prosecuting and persecuting him since 2021 using the police to protect ill-gotten wealth, and claimed his wife and children were harassed by policemen, one of whom posed as a DHL staff.

He said he is currently on appeal at the Court of Appeal, Asaba, and thanked former Delta Attorney General, Chief Victor Otomiewo and Chief Rumson Baribote for legal support.

“Let it be known to all that I have not lifted a finger yet to fight this sudden Nigerian billionaire. I am only acting in self-defence. I will surely fight back at the appropriate time,” he said.

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Jalla restated his advocacy’s claim that a UK property at Regent Plaza Apartment, 6 Greville Road, NW6 5HU, was bought in cash for £700,000 on December 10, 2015, a year after Pinnick assumed office as NFF President, and alleged illicit flows running into millions of dollars and diverted FIFA grants.

He said the UK case arose from Pinnick’s own testimony on oath in Nigeria, challenging the former NFF boss to debunk the allegations in the UK.

Pinnick yet to respond

As of press time, former NFF President Amaju Pinnick has not issued a fresh statement on Jalla’s latest right of reply. BIGPEN recalls that FIFA had in 2021 rejected a petition by Jalla seeking investigation of Pinnick ahead of the FIFA Council election, saying it was not obliged to open ethical proceedings based on the complaint.

Editor’s Note: BIGPEN reports that allegations contained in this statement are as made by Harrison Jalla. We have not independently verified the UK property claims or the financial transactions mentioned.

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