FC Obaje, the Kaduna-based academy owned by Gabriel Obaje, has escalated its battle for the rights to Flying Eagles star Simon Karshe Cletus, vowing to take the matter as far as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following a contentious ruling by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF). The dispute centres on Cletus’s youth development and which club holds his registration rights.
Initially, the NFF sided with FC Obaje after reviewing documentation submitted by both parties, effectively confirming their claim. However, complications arose days later: Gabriel Obaje was arrested by Kaduna State police under a court order tied to alleged forgery linked to the case. He’s currently detained pending extradition to Abuja.
Despite these tensions, Obaje FC is undeterred. Their leadership has engaged both the NFF and Kaduna State FA, who pledged to support their legal efforts, and remain determined to challenge Mavlon FC’s claims as far as CAS.
Editorial
We stand with FC Obaje in their pursuit of justice over Simon Cletus’s registration. Youth development success should be rewarded not overshadowed by protracted administrative battles. If Obaje FC followed due process and presented valid documents, they deserve their day in court.
We acknowledge that talent poaching and registration disputes waste resources and destabilise young careers. When clubs invest in grassroots training, their claims should be respected not undercut by conflicting paperwork or rushed rulings.
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We feel the NFF must enhance transparency moving forward. Dispute-resolution mechanisms need clear timelines and accountability. Delays, arrests, and uncertainty hurt all involved especially impressionable players like Cletus, who deserve clarity and protection.
We emphasise that FC Obaje’s willingness to escalate to CAS demonstrates confidence in their case. Nigeria’s football must evolve to uphold fairness at every level grassroots and international. By supporting teams that develop talent and stand firm on principle, we strengthen the ecosystem for all aspiring Nigerian footballers.
Did You Know?
- Simon Karshe Cletus captained Nigeria’s U17 side before progressing to the U20 team that secured third place at the recent AFCON, qualifying for the FIFA U20 World Cup.
- FC Obaje is owned by Gabriel Obaje, elder brother of Nigerian professionals Godwin and Joshua Obaje, and is based in Kaduna.
- Mavlon FC claims Cletus as a product of its U17 programme, a development pathway that has produced talent sent abroad.
- Kaduna police arrested Obaje FC’s owner under a court order concerning forgery, amid ongoing disputes over registration documentation.
- Everton-backed legal support infrastructure exists for FA disputes, but this marks a rare Nigerian club escalation of an NFF ruling to the global CAS system.
