Investigation
Abuja, May 7, 2018 (NAN) The committee set up to look into alleged violation of doping rules and improper conduct on Monday said it hoped to conclude its interrogation of key actors this week.
The committee’s secretary, Olusegun Akinlotan, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the committee’s work was progressing well, as it has been inviting officials for questioning.
“We are going on with our work and we have made progress. From Tuesday, we will begin interactive sessions with key actors.
“We have been inviting officials that were there when the issue occurred. So, we have staggered the interactive sessions.
“This week we will handle the athlete in question and the accused official, as well as some other concerned officials,” he told NAN.
NAN reports that Olumide George, the Vice-President of Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), and an athlete, Sade Abugan, were alleged to have flouted anti-doping rules during the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
This had led the Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Solomon Dalung, to set up a five-man Investigative Committee on March 27.
He had given it three weeks to submit its report.
However, Akinlotan had disclosed to NAN on April 16 that the committee’s work was delayed as a result of the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in which Nigeria participated.
He also pointed out that it was impossible for an investigative committee to hold proceedings in the absence of concerned parties.
“Around the day the minister was inaugurating the committee, many of its members and other concerned parties travelled the following week for the Commonwealth Games in Australia.
“So, there was no way we could have sat without them because it is an investigative committee.”
Akinlotan however gave the assurance that once the committee finished its cross-examination of those involved this week, it would begin work on its report by next week.
“Hopefully, we will complete the interactive sessions this week. Once that is done, by next week we will start compiling our report,” Akinlotan, who is a deputy director in the Sports Ministry, stated.
NAN reports that the Pius Oteh-led committee was asked to establish whether the Nigerian government was culpable by covering up doping allegations involving athletes and ministry officials.(NAN)
KIA/OLAL
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(Edited by Olawale Alabi)