By Bassey Ed-Manuel

Renowned Nigerian football administrators Dominic Iorfa and Mike Idoko have strongly refuted allegations stemming from a forensic audit report accusing them of owing ₦2.445 billion to the Benue State-owned Lobi Stars Football Club of Makurdi.

Dominic Iorfa, former Vice Chairman and CEO of Lobi Stars, dismissed the report as an attempt to tarnish his reputation, which he claims is built on integrity and decades of service to football.

He argued that the auditors failed to grasp the complexities of football administration, saying:
“The report ignored the realities of our financial operations, including the ₦40 million monthly subvention for matchday expenses at ₦6 million per game across 38 league fixtures, alongside salaries, bonuses, and player transfers.”

Iorfa also revealed he personally financed the club during financial shortfalls, mortgaging personal properties to keep it operational, and is still owed ₦300 million by the club. He vowed to seek legal redress to protect his name.

Similarly, former Lobi Stars Chairman Mike Idoko labeled the claims against him as distressing and misleading. He highlighted the systems he introduced during his tenure to ensure transparency, such as direct payments to players and staff via bank transfers.

Idoko echoed Iorfa’s sentiments about the challenges of managing a club with insufficient government funding, stating:
“Subventions were inadequate to meet salary obligations, logistics, and matchday operations. Like Iorfa, I sacrificed personal resources to sustain the club.”

Idoko expressed readiness to cooperate with the investigation to clear his name and protect the legacy of Lobi Stars.

For decades, Iorfa and Idoko have been rivals, frequently vying for the top leadership position at Lobi Stars. Their rivalry has often been marked by intense competition. However, this current situation presents a rare opportunity for unity, as both men face a “common enemy”—the Benue State Government’s demand for repayment of the alleged debt.

The Benue State Government, backed by the forensic report, insists that Iorfa, Idoko, and Emmanuel Tamen—another former official—are collectively responsible for the missing ₦2.445 billion and must repay the funds.

The legal battle promises to be one of the most watched in Nigerian football history, with many waiting to see if the administrators can successfully clear their names or if the government will substantiate its claims.

Football enthusiasts nationwide are closely monitoring the developments in what could be a landmark case in the history of Nigerian club football.