UNILORIN Sports Secretary Rejects Allegations On Fund Misappropriation

Following the allegations of funds misappropriation filed against the Students’ Union Sports Secretary BASH, which has equally led to his immediate suspension.

The embattled Sport Scribe has come out openly to clear the air on certain issues needed to be objectively justified.

It would be recalled that BASH was suspended for 10 working days premised on some perceived irregularities in the management of funds traced to his office by the Students’ Union Senate Council today.

In a statement signed and released by the Sports Secretary, in response to his ‘unjustified’ suspension, Bash gave intricate analysis on why he felt the judgement pronounced lack some substantial facts, that ought to have changed the outlook of the legal decision.

While fielding questions on the formal beginning and initiation of the 2017/2018 Unilorin League, Bash revealed that he forwarded a letter of notification to the Senate Council regarding the new edition of the tournament, and which was considerably approved with the proposed date of kick off set for 17th of November, 2017, stressing that although, the sales of forms had begun few weeks before the commencement of the league.

“The Central Executive Council of the Students’ Union was aware of the fact that funds generated from the sales of forms would serve as capital to start the league processes. I couldn’t afford to embark upon a certain beneficial scheme without the prior notice and authorization of the CEC.” he added.

He affirmed that the sum of N200,000 was generated from the sales of forms, and according to the constitution, every single fund earned has to be remitted into the Students’ Union account, saying that at the starting point of the League, he needed to clear up certain bills which he claimed his financial records could testify to.

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“Before the Budget Presentations that was held on the 23rd and 24th of December 2017, expenses had gone up to N144,200, as at the Week 6 of the League. I personally delivered the financial record statement to the Senate President, and with that, I felt they had gotten enough details and consequently given me a nod to paddle on.” he added.

Continuing, BASH noted that on the 20th of December, he had verbally told the Senate President that all the estimations would reflect on the budget he would be presenting on the floor of the house, and which however, clearly reflected and presented to the Senate Council at the Budget Sitting, adding that with that, he believed the Principal Officers had gotten all the necessary financial details from the office of the Sports Secretary.

On the Budget Presentation, he said the Senate Council ordered him to remit all the monies acquired from the sales of forms and from other related means within 72hours, a motion raised by one Senator Eleja from Faculty of Law Constituency, but unfortunately he fell sick for a week and half, and he resumed to school on the 9th of January 2018, while even on medication.

“All the funds generated through the sales of forms were safely kept with the League Board Committees (LBC), and as at Saturday 13th of January, the League fixtures had reached its 8th week. And today, I have remitted the balance into the account. ” he revealed.

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Elsewhere, BASH said the USAICPC had earlier demanded the submission of his financial records, which according to him was forwarded to the Chairman, with reasons why he could not remit the money, stressing that funds generated from sanctions of players could not be remitted because there would always be urgent need for unplanned finances and such would be used to fulfil the needs, stating that for accountability sake, all the sanctions records were clearly updated and displayed on the League website

2 Conti Balls, each at 3500 (7,000); 2 Puma each at 3000 (6,000); Reactivation of League website (30000); Lining of field (15,000); League Banners (7,000); Scores Plank Board (3,000); A4 Paper (Pack = 1200); Medical Materials (3,000) Officiating (96,000 as at week 8)

Total= 168,200

He charged all and sundry to disregard any statement or claim of questionable accuracy either from known or unknown sources, labeling the suspension as a financial misunderstanding of facts and figures perpetuated by political influences.

Reporting: Aliu-Ahmad Olalekan Gold. Freelance Journalist.