Olawale Ajimotokan  in Abuja

The internal crisis rocking IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja took a twist yesterday morning after stern-looking operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police barricaded the club and stopped the Annual General Meeting and the election of new members to pilot the affairs of the Executive Committee for the 2025-2026 years from holding.

Also, the FCT Minister,  Nyesom Wike, has appointed a new Interim Management Board to run the affairs of IBB Golf Club.

IBB Club Captain, Ibrahim Babayo, had in a notice, issued on Saturday morning, informed members of the closure of the club.

The terse notice reads: “Kindly be informed that in view of the closure of the club, the 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Elections stated for 26th April 2025 are hereby postponed till further notice. Thank you”.

 IBB Club, one of Nigeria’s most prestigious golf clubs, has been swirling in litigations over the appointment of Board of Trustees and adoption of a new constitution.

Three club members, Ubong Esop Akpan, Tijani Abdulsalam Ogueyi and Olalere Babasola had on Thursday secured an interim order from the Federal High Court presided over by Justice Emeka Nwite, restraining FCT Minister Nyesom Wike from appointing a Board of Trustees, headed by Justice Monica Dongbam-Mensem from supervising the now shelved AGM.

It was also gathered from authoritative sources that the President of the Appeal Court, Justice Dongbam-Mensem has also resolved to step down as the Chairman of Incorporated Trustees of IBB Club.

Her resignation is a fallout of the crisis embroiling the club and the litigation that had ensued from the appointment of a new Board of Trustees.

Meanwhile, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved the appointment of members of the Interim Management Board of IBB Golf Club. 

A statement on Saturday by the Senior Special Assistant Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, said the Interim Management Board is to be led by Dr Peter Deshi, while Yomi Oyelola will serve as the Secretary.

Deshi was a former Captain of IBB Golf Club and President Nigeria Golf Federation (NGF).

Other members of the Interim Management Board include; Gbenga Elegbeleye, Nanwor Mamven, Mrs. Ekanem Ekwueme, Arabi Bello, Lawan Aboki, Okey Nnaedozie, Fred Otobo and Julius Fadairo.

The statement said the members of the Interim Management Board are to assume duty with immediate effect. 

While congratulating the appointees, Wike also urges them to work assiduously for the repositioning of the IBB Golf Club.