By Victor Kanayo
The African Boxing Confederation (AFBC) has suspended a well-known figure in Nigeria’s boxing space Azania Omo-Agege.
This was disclosed in a document by AFBC board of directors under Eyassu Berhanu as Chairman which accused Omo-Agege of blackmail.
The continental boxing body later in a statement signed by the Secretary General of AFBC, Kalong André Basile, accused Omo-Agege of forging and falsifying documents used for his nomination to become the candidate of AFBC BoD.
Part of the statement reads, “The Accused Person / AFBC Vice President Mr. Azania Omo Agege Siena is sanctioned with a Provisional Suspension and a fine of twenty thousand (20.000,00) Swiss Francs in accordance with the provisions set out in article 25 .7 of the AFBC Constitution and the article 31.1 of the AFBC Disciplinary Code. The decision is subject to the confirmation of AFBC Ethics Committee/AFBC Disciplinary Commission and will be made public through the website of AFBC.
“On November 13, Nigeria Boxing Federation suspended Mr. Azania Omo Agege Siena for disciplinary issues including forgery and falsification. It is clear hear the NBF lost confidence with Azania Omo Agege.
“The Nigeria Boxing Federation accuses Azania of Forgery and Falsification of documents including documents used for his nomination to become the candidate to AFBC BoD. This has disciplinary implications according the article 31.1 of the AFBC Disciplinary Code.
“During the visit of the AFBC officials including the President Eyassu Wossen Berhanu, Azania Omo Agege tried to blackmail President Eyassu asking him a hundred thousand dollars to facilitate the meeting with the Minister of Sports of Nigeria. Such a behaviour collides with the high standards of conduct, reputation and integrity required for an AFBC Director as stated in the article 25.4 (a) the AFBC Constitution”.
The country’s boxing federation has been immersed in leadership crisis in the past weeks.
