The Nigeria Soccer Federation (NFF), by means of its Refereeing Growth Committee, has handed down an indefinite suspension to a match referee and referee assessor following officiating lapses within the Nigeria Premier Soccer League (NPFL) encounter between Kano Pillars FC and Abia Warriors.
The disciplinary motion was confirmed in an official letter dated January 22, 2026, and signed by Mohammed Ameenu on behalf of the Chairman of the NFF Refereeing Growth Committee.
In keeping with the NFF, the referee, Ishaya Usman, did not award what was described as a “evident penalty” throughout the Matchday fixture performed on January 19, 2026.
The committee dominated that the choice adversely affected the end result of the match and was not consistent with the provisions of the Legal guidelines of the Sport.
The referee assessor for the match, Ogwueche Benjamin, was additionally discovered culpable. The committee acknowledged that the assessor uncared for his core tasks, noting that his post-match report didn’t replicate any incidents or proof of a correct match debriefing with the officiating crew.
The NFF Refereeing Growth Committee emphasised that the mixed actions of each officers not solely influenced the results of the match but additionally introduced the sport into disrepute.
“Because of these findings, each officers have been suspended indefinitely with instant impact from all league and different soccer matches,” the assertion learn.
Copies of the suspension letter have been forwarded to the President and Normal Secretary of the Nigeria Soccer Federation, in addition to the Chairman/Chief Working Officer of the Nigeria Premier Soccer League.
The choice underscores the NFF’s continued dedication to bettering refereeing requirements and safeguarding the integrity of soccer competitions throughout the nation.
