Agent drags Bayelsa Utd to NPFL over illegal registration of player

Agent drags Bayelsa Utd to NPFL over illegal registration of player

A renowned football agent, Aminu Yusuf has dragged the management of Bayelsa United to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) over grave irregularities surrounding the abscondment and subsequent unlawful registration of a contracted player of Godswill Akpabio United.

Yusuf, on behalf of Akpabio United FC, in a petition to the Chief Operating Officer of the NPFL, claimed by registering Otunaya Kennedy Energy, a duly registered player of Godswill Akpabio United FC, engaged under a valid and subsisting professional contract running until 28 August 2026, Bayelsa United have indicted the League’s registration framework in clear violation of NPFL Regulations and the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (RSTP).

He averred that Energy was properly registered by Akpabio United in the Nigeria National League for the 2025/2026 football season and actively featured for the club in several league matches, including the last mid-season league match played on January 11, 2026 against Osun United Football Club in Iwo, Osun State.

He disclosed that following the club’s last league engagement, the player left Uyo on January 13, 2026 without notice, consent, or authorisation.

"From that date, the player failed to return to camp and all communication ceased between the club and player. He abandoned his contractual obligations without just cause was accordingly declared AWOL, missing and absconded, and reported same to the relevant football authorities.

"While the player was officially declared absconded, the club was shocked to read from newspaper publications and verified NPFL match records that the same player had allegedly signed for Bayelsa United  and already featured in two NPFL league matches for Bayelsa United without clearance from Akpabio United.

"This development is fundamentally incompatible with the regulatory framework governing Nigerian professional football.

Godswill Akpabio United FC states that:

"No clearance was issued by the club; no release letter was issued; no transfer consent was given; no registration approval was issued to join Bayelsa United FC. The rules place a duty of due diligence on:

Bayelsa United and the NPFL registration system. The failure raises serious questions of regulatory lapse or negligence."

The agent said the conduct of Bayelsa United amounts to illegal approach of a contracted player; inducement to breach contract and registration of an ineligible player.

"At the time of the player’s abscondment, the club had advanced transfer enquiries from foreign clubs valued at €150,000. And the unlawful acts deprived the club of potential transfer income and caused sporting instability and financial loss.

"We're therefore requesting the NPFL to investigate the circumstances surrounding his registration with Bayelsa United FC, sanction Bayelsa United for breach of NPFL and FIFA Regulations; nullify any registration of the player with Bayelsa United, ensure compliance with transfer and registration procedures and grant any further relief deemed appropriate in the circumstances," he demanded.