The founder of Athletics and Other Sports Development Initiative, an NGO committed to promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in sports, Ahmed Shuiab Gara-Gombe has dared the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Bukola Olopade to meet him in court, as he will not apologise over his comments concerning him in a televised interview.
This development followed a threat from the NSC DG to sue Channels Television and Gara-Gombe, if the station fails to remove the content of an interview, which they had with Gara-Gombe from public space within 48 hours.
Olopade alleged that he was defamed by the guest and the presenter did not caution him, and would meet the station and Gara-Gombe in court, if they don't apologise to him and also delete the material from circulation.
The former Ogun State Sports Commissioner claimed that he was not under any investigations by any anti graft agency of government, a claim Gara-Gombe has countered as false.
Gara Gombe, who is former Gombe FA chairman raised some allegations over the conduct of Olopade as NSC DG since his appointment, alleging that some of his actions amount to conflict of interests.
In a press statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Gara-Gombe accused Olopade of intimidating and harassing media houses, particularly Channels TV, over an interview aired on the station’s Lunch Time programme on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.
During the programme, Gombe alleged that the NSC DG is currently under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a claim which reportedly prompted Olopade to issue a 48-hour ultimatum to the station, demanding the withdrawal of the interview and an apology or face litigation.
The former Gombe FA chairman said “Bukola Olopade should stop grandstanding, bullying, and harassing media houses when truths about happenings in our sports sector are revealed,”
He further alleged that Olopade has continued to operate as Managing Director of Nilayo Sports Marketing Company even after assuming public office as DG of NSC—contrary to public service regulations and procurement laws.
Gombe noted “The records are clear. Certified True Copies from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) confirm that he remains a director at Nilayo Sports. Despite being in public service, he alleged that Olopade still actively promotes Nilayo Sports.”
According to Gara-Gombe, he alleged that Mr. Olopade is under EFCC investigation alongside Tonobok Okowa, President of the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), and Rita Mosindi, over a sponsorship deal with Premium Trust Bank.
The matter, he noted, is currently before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and is expected to come up in September.
Gombe declared “Instead of addressing these serious issues, he is resorting to threats. I will not apologise to Mr. Olopade. We’ll meet in court,”.
He also disclosed that his organization will soon release full records of marathons and long-distance races organized by Nilayo Sports, alleging that many athletes both local and international remain unpaid for their participation.
“We gave a nine-day ultimatum that any marathon organiser who failed to pay athletes within two weeks would face litigation. Olopade hurriedly paid part of the athletes, but the majority are still waiting.”
The NGO reaffirmed its commitment to defending free speech and ensuring accountability within Nigeria’s sports sector.
