The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Players’ Status and Arbitration Committee has ordered Sokoto United FC to pay a total of N3.25 million in compensation to two players, Okon Eta Otop and Isaac Ali, for the unilateral termination of their contracts without just cause.

 

The decision was delivered in Abuja on December 5, 2025, following claims filed by the two professional footballers against the Sokoto-based club.

According to documents before the Committee, the 1st Claimant, Okon Eta Otop, entered into a two-year professional contract with Sokoto United FC effective September 1, 2024, set to run until March 31, 2026. His agreed monthly salary was N120,000.

 

The 2nd Claimant, Isaac Ali, also signed a two-year contract with the club effective August 1, 2024, scheduled to expire in July 2026, with a monthly salary of N130,000.

 

Both players alleged that on March 31, 2025, Sokoto United FC unilaterally terminated their contracts without just cause. They consequently sought payment for the unexpired portions of their contracts in line with FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players as applicable to the NFF and Nigeria National League (NNL).

After reviewing submissions and evidence, the Committee established that both players were validly contracted and had featured for Sokoto United FC before their contracts were terminated on March 31, 2025, without just cause.

 

The Committee also found that Okon Eta Otop had subsequently joined Mighty Jets FC on a monthly salary of N100,000 and is currently playing for the club.

In its ruling, the NFF Players’ Status and Arbitration Committee ordered as follows:

• Sokoto United FC is to pay N1,450,000 to Okon Eta Otop as compensation for the unilateral termination of his contract signed on September 1, 2024, without just cause.

• The club is to pay N1,800,000 to Isaac Ali as compensation for the unilateral termination of his contract signed on August 1, 2024, without just cause.

 

The Committee directed that all payments must be made within 45 days of receipt of the decision. Failure to comply will result in Sokoto United FC being banned from transferring players or registering new ones until the terms of the ruling are fully implemented.

 

Additionally, both parties are to pay 5 percent of the judgment sum as fees, to be borne equally at 2.5 percent each. The payment is to be made to:

• Account Name: Nigeria Football Federation

• Account Number: 0020184861012

• Bank: Central Bank of Nigeria

• Payment Channel: NFF Fees and Penalties

The Committee stated that any appeal against the decision must be lodged with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne, Switzerland, in accordance with Article 70 of the NFF Statutes (2010).

 

A request for the grounds of the decision must be submitted in writing to the NFF General Secretariat within ten days of receipt of notification. Failure to do so within the stipulated period will render the decision final and binding.