Telecom Firm Sues Former CEO Over Alleged Fund Diversion Linked To Flag Football Sponsorship

Pan African Towers Limited, a licensed Nigerian telecommunications infrastructure company, has filed a civil suit at the Federal High Court in Lagos with suit No: FHC/LAG/CS/ 917/2026 against its former Managing Director/ CEO, Azeez Olayode Amida, alleging breach of fiduciary duty and misappropriation of company funds during his roughly eleven-month tenure.

According to the statement of claim, Amida was appointed to the role in December 2023 (actually Jan 2022 but Contract of Employment dated December 2023) and departed in November 2024. The company alleges that an internal audit — triggered by a whistleblower report received in

July 2024 — uncovered a pattern of unauthorized spending, including personal expenses charged to the company and payroll additions for household staff who the company says performed no work for it.

Among the claims: that company funds were used to cover a solar power installation at Amida’s personal residence, and that a payment described in company banking records as a sponsorship for a “Showtime community cup” — associated with the flag football brand Showtime Flag — was made without board authorization, along with N4m+ in VIP tickets for a Showtime event. The filing also alleges Amida failed to disclose that his departure from a prior employer had been the result of a negotiated separation rather than a voluntary resignation, a fact the company says would have affected its decision to appoint him. It is important to stress that these are allegations contained in a plaintiff’s statement of claim, not findings of fact.

Nigeria’s American football scene — including community leagues and sponsorship-driven cup competitions across the country— has been growing quickly, drawing corporate backers eager to associate with an emerging, family-friendly sport. That growth model depends heavily on trust: sponsors, whether corporate or individual, need confidence that funds channeled into competitions, jerseys, or community cups are being used transparently and for their stated purpose.

Allegations that corporate sponsorship money tied to a flag football event may have been routed without proper authorization — regardless of the eventual outcome in court — carry reputational risk for the broader ecosystem. Local organizers and league administrators who depend on repeat sponsorship relationships could face harder questions from prospective backers, both domestic and international, about financial oversight and governance.

For a sport still building its institutional credibility, unresolved controversy involving named sponsors or officials is a reminder that governance and financial transparency at the club and league level matter just as much as they do for the corporate sponsors themselves. International development partners and federations considering investment in the sport’s growth in Nigeria may reasonably ask leagues to demonstrate independent financial controls and clear separation between event funding and any individual’s personal or business interests.

What the Company Is Seeking

Beyond a general finding that Amida breached his fiduciary duties, Pan African Towers’ writ asks the court for a mix of declaratory and monetary relief. Notably, it seeks an order barring Amida from taking up any directorship, promotional, or management role at any other company without the Plaintiff’s express consent for ten years — a restriction the filing frames as necessary given his prior role and access to sensitive information. It also seeks to have him vacate office space it says his personal business, Showtime Flag Football Limited, occupied within the company’s premises, along with associated rent.

On the financial side, the claim itemizes a series of allegedly unauthorized payments — travel expenses, health insurance, and massage therapy sessions, a personal vehicle, IT equipment, and the previously mentioned sponsorship and payroll items — totaling roughly ₦117.7 million.

On top of that, the company is separately seeking ₦200 million in general damages and a further ₦200 million in special damages, citing reputational harm and disruption to its business, plus interest and the cost of the suit. Taken together, the reliefs sought amount to several hundred million naira. As with the underlying allegations, these are the reliefs the Plaintiff is asking the court to grant — not amounts the court has awarded.

Case Update

Court records show the writ of summons was formally issued on 25 May 2026, with a witness statement on oath from the Plaintiff’s general counsel filed in support. The matter has since been adjourned to 8th October for mention before Justice Aluko at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division. No substantive arguments have yet been heard, and Amida’s formal response to the claims has not been made public at the time of writing.

What Happens Next

The case is proceeding through the Federal High Court’s Lagos Judicial Division. As with any civil suit, the defendant will have the opportunity to respond to the claims, and the court will ultimately determine what, if anything, is proven. This publication will update the story as the litigation develops, including after the 8 October mention, or if Amida’s camp issues a response.

This article is based on a review of the publicly filed court documents, including the statement of claim, writ of summons, and endorsements.