Heads may roll as NPFL investigates match fixing allegations by Lobi Stars official

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) board has launched an internal investigation into explosive allegations of match-fixing and betting involving players and officials of Lobi Stars, a former league champion now struggling to avoid relegation. The probe follows damning claims made by the club’s media officer, Emmanuel Ujah, during a radio interview on Today Sportslive […]

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) board has launched an internal investigation into explosive allegations of match-fixing and betting involving players and officials of Lobi Stars, a former league champion now struggling to avoid relegation.

The probe follows damning claims made by the club’s media officer, Emmanuel Ujah, during a radio interview on Today Sportslive with Today 95.1 FM, Port Harcourt. Ujah accused Lobi Stars players and some officials of deliberately compromising games, with suspicions extending to former coach Daniel Amokachi.

Ujah alleged that the rot dates back to the previous management and has been allowed to fester due to the current leadership’s decision to retain players and officials from that era. He claimed that the team has become a hub for betting syndicates, stating that players wager on their own games, sometimes even informing acquaintances to stake on specific outcomes.

He also dismissed recent reports that players were attacked by cultists during a training session in Makurdi, alleging instead that the players staged the incident to evade disciplinary action for suspected sabotage in their loss to Abia Warriors.

“So, there’s this unwholesome practice that have been going on in Lobi. They have been betting at Bet9ja (you know we can’t hide anything again), fixing matches.

“They’ll ask people to bet that they’re scoring us two goals today so go and bet. We told the club chairman to dissolve the team and let the people go and bring other players in the second stanza of the league, those (he) can control.

“Look at the pattern—goals coming in the 85th, 88th minute repeatedly. This is not normal. Something is going on,” Ujah said.

He further alleged that former coach Amokachi acknowledged the betting culture within the team but failed to act decisively. According to Ujah, neither past nor present management reported these concerns to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) or its ethics committee.

In the same vein, ex-Nigeria star Dominic Iorfa has accused the club management of blackmail and match-fixing.

In a statement, the former Lobi Stars boss said the false claims could harm Benue State’s sporting reputation.

“As a reputable club in Nigeria football, the unfounded claims of match fixing, sabotage, discord and animosity been planted by the management against the current players, past management, and technical crew is regrettably sad.

“Regrettably, the even went ahead and accused me that match fixing started during my time. The question is, how can I do such against my team while I was getting the results. Was I doing match fixing to lose matches or win matches because the team was getting good results?

“Ever since the current management took over the helms of leadership, they have consistently shifted blame on me in every aspect saying ,” part of the statement read.

NPFL Chief Operating Officer, Davidson Owumi, has confirmed that the league body has officially launched an investigation into the allegations. He assured that swift and decisive action will be taken should any wrongdoing be established, with Emmanuel Ujah scheduled to appear before the investigative committee today.

It is also worth noting that, as of the time of this report, Lobi Stars’ management are yet to distance itself from the controversial interview — a development that may have prompted the league body’s invitation.

Lobi Stars have not won a match since December 14, 2024, and currently sit at the bottom of the NPFL table with 24 points from 31 games.

FIFA enforces strict penalties for match-fixing, which can include lifetime bans from football and potential criminal prosecution.