Court Rejects Bid To Stop NBBF Elections, Fixes November 3 For Hearing

The Federal High Court in Abuja has declined an application seeking to stop the Nigeria Basketball Federation (NBBF) board elections scheduled for Thursday, fixing November 3, 2026, for the hearing of a suit challenging the conduct of the federation’s elective congress.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2428, was instituted by Ayodele Olaseinde Bakare against the NBBF and the National Sports Commission (NSC).

Bakare is challenging the legality of the elective congress held in Yola, Adamawa State, alleging that it was convened in violation of provisions of the NBBF Constitution.

The applicant had sought the court’s intervention to halt the electoral process pending the determination of the substantive suit. However, the court declined the request, leaving the Thursday election unaffected by the application.

The decision means the legal challenge will proceed, with the court expected to hear the substantive matter on November 3.

The dispute centres on the procedure adopted in convening the Yola congress, which Bakare alleges did not comply with the federation’s constitutional provisions.

The outcome of the case could have implications for the administration of Nigerian basketball, particularly as the federation prepares to elect a new board to oversee the sport’s affairs.

However, the court’s decision to decline the application seeking to stop the election does not amount to a determination of the substantive allegations against the NBBF. Those issues remain before the court for consideration.

The NBBF and the NSC are the respondents in the case.

Thursday’s election is expected to determine the leadership of the federation for the next administration, amid the ongoing legal challenge over the validity of the process that led to the elective congress in Yola.