Photo: Kehinde Gbadamosi/Vanguard The Main Organising Committee (M.O.C) of the 18th National Sports Festival, has exonerated Edo State weightlifter, Gideon Aigbefoh, from blame and has ordered the Nigeria Weightlifting Federation to restore all the three gold medals he won.
In a letter signed by the Chairman, Games Services Sub-committee, General Emmanuel Okaro (rtd), the allegation levelled against Gideon Aigbefoh of Edo by Delta State lacked substance since he was not registered by Delta State for the 18th National Sports Festival.
The NWF had already withdrawn the medals won by Aigbefoh over his ineligibility. But the Edo State Weightlifting Association appealed against the decision of NWF jury.
Edo State explained that Aigbefoh, who represented the state at the Gateway Games 2006 and Kada Games 2009 has been in the employment of Edo State since August, 2011 and that there were several attempts by Delta State to lure him to represent the state at EKO 2012 Games.
The M.O.C, however, discovered that Aigbfoh was never in the employment of Delta State and that the Ordinary National Diploma certificate presented by the Delta State in name the of Gideon Aigbefoh was not genuine as the athlete confirmed that he is not an OND holder.
The jury also discovered that Aigbefoh did not receive any salary from Delta State Government, thus he has no obligation to Delta State Government. His medals were therefore restored.
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