Kano club owner sues state football association over alleged rights violation

A football club proprietor in Kano, Abba Hamza Baba, has taken the Kano State Football Association (KSFA) to court, accusing top officials of infringing on his fundamental human rights.
Baba, who chairs Alfindinki Football Club, filed a motion before the Kano State High Court, citing breaches of Sections 35, 40, and 46 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution.
In court documents, Baba alleged that the KSFA—under the leadership of its chairman, Sharif Rabiu Inuwa Ahlan, secretary Shehu Buhari, and vice chairman Aminu China—deliberately blocked his team from participating in the ongoing Tofa Premier League despite fulfilling all registration and administrative requirements.
He claimed he legally acquired a league slot from the now-defunct Warriors Football Club for ₦700,000, and further paid ₦350,000 to the state FA as a 50% commission. Additional payments, including ₦120,000 made through the Tofa Premier League Forum and ₦58,000 labeled as unattached fees, were also submitted, he said.
According to Baba’s affidavit, he paid ₦165,000 on February 15, 2025, for the clearance of three players transferred from Kano Municipal Football Club to his team.
Despite meeting the financial and procedural requirements, his club was allegedly denied participation in the league without formal justification.
Baba told the court that his attempt to protest the exclusion led the football association to involve the police, resulting in his arrest, detention, and arraignment at Chief Magistrate Court No. 23.
He is now seeking a judicial declaration that the actions of the KSFA and its officials were unconstitutional and a breach of his right to freedom of association.
Represented by counsel Mahmud Ishaq, the club owner is also requesting the court to compel the KSFA to release the licenses of his players and issue a public apology for the unlawful actions taken against him.
In response, the KSFA filed a preliminary objection, arguing that the court lacks the jurisdiction to hear the matter.
The case is currently before Justice Usman Na’Abba of High Court No. 4 at the Audu Bako Secretariat.
The matter has been adjourned to July 24 for further hearing.
Kano club owner sues state football association over alleged rights violation