By joshua 
Forgery Scandal Rocks Kogi Handball Association Appointment
A civil group, ‘Concerned Stakeholders for Sports Integrity in Kogi State’, has raised serious allegations of forgery and manipulation surrounding the purported reappointment of Mr. Jibril Ogih Saidu as Chairman of the Handball Association in the state.
In a strongly worded statement signed by spokesperson Idowu Peterson on Saturday, the group described the letter announcing Mr. Saidu’s reappointment as a “fraudulent document riddled with inconsistencies and clear signs of forgery,” aimed at misleading both the public and the Kogi State Government.
“The attention of concerned stakeholders in Kogi State sports development has been drawn to a falsified appointment letter currently circulating online, allegedly issued by the Kogi State Sports Council and dated 11th June 2025,” the statement read. “The document appoints Mr. Jibril Ogih Saidu as Chairman of the Handball Association — a position he no longer holds by virtue of tenure expiration and poor performance.”
Timeline and Procedural Irregularities
The group pointed out that the letter in question is dated 11th June 2025 — several days before the official window for nomination of candidates, which was scheduled for 17th to 19th June 2025. This, they argued, renders the appointment “null, baseless, and procedurally impossible.”
Signs of Forgery
The group further alleged that a visual inspection of the document revealed evident tampering, with blue and black ink used to manually fill in key sections such as the appointee’s name and position.
“This crude alteration, completely out of step with the format of official state-issued documents, clearly suggests forgery,” Peterson stated.
Official Denial from Government
Adding weight to their claims, Peterson revealed that a call to the Public Relations Officer of the Kogi State Ministry of Youth and Sports, Mr. Sani, confirmed that neither the Commissioner nor the Ministry had knowledge of Mr. Saidu’s reappointment.
“The Ministry has not released the official list of approved appointments for any sporting association,” Mr. Sani reportedly said, describing the circulating letter as “unauthorized.”
Disregard for Reconciliation Agreements
The group also recalled that in October 2024, a reconciliation meeting was held at the office of the Honourable Commissioner for Youth and Sports, where it was agreed that the Handball Association would enter a new phase of unity. Mr. Saidu and his allies were accused of flouting this agreement by circulating a fake letter of reappointment.
Track Record and Tenure
Mr. Saidu, who has reportedly served two full terms (six years) as Chairman, was criticized for presiding over what the group described as the “collapse” of handball activities in Kogi State.
“There were no competitions, no youth development initiatives, and no meaningful progress. His tenure was characterized by neglect and stagnation — a reality known to every grassroots stakeholder in the sport,” Peterson said.
Call to Action
The group called on the Kogi State Government and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to immediately investigate the alleged forgery and hold those responsible accountable.
>“The attempt to impose failed leadership on the Handball Association — using fake documents and false narratives — is a slap in the face of progress,” the statement added. “Kogi sports deserve visionary leaders, not recycled individuals driven by personal ambition and political influence.”
Peterson concluded by urging all sports-loving individuals and organizations to resist any effort to undermine the integrity of sports development in the state.
“We must protect our sports institutions from this kind of abuse. Let this serve as a warning to anyone planning similar acts in the future.”