By Boluwatife Kehinde
The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), via its Referee Development Committee, has suspended three officials for poor performance.
Referees Mohammed B. Tuta, Ben Japhet, and Ikechukwu Taiwo have been placed on indefinite suspension following controversial decisions in recent league matches.
The decision, according to a statement signed by committee secretary Ameenu Mohammed, is part of a broader initiative to restore credibility to match officiating in the NPFL.
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The most high-profile of the incidents occurred during the Matchday 8 fixture between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars. Referees Tuta and Japhet were jointly criticised for a series of decisions that appeared to undermine the fairness of the game.
The fallout from the match, played at the Sani Abacha Stadium, spiralled into crowd unrest, raising alarm bells about the broader implications of officiating standards on matchday safety and league integrity.
In a separate match between Nasarawa United and Rangers, referee Ikechukwu Taiwo came under fire for awarding what the committee termed an “unjustified penalty,” a call that significantly influenced the outcome of the game. His decision-making was deemed far below acceptable standards.
The Referee Development Committee emphasised that the suspensions are not merely punitive but form part of an accountability framework designed to strengthen the domestic league.
All three referees will be required to undergo retraining and pass further assessments before any consideration for reinstatement.
“The Committee remains committed to upholding the principles of integrity, transparency, and professionalism in Nigerian football officiating,” the official statement read. “Any referee found compromising match standards will face strict disciplinary measures.”
With criticism of NPFL officiating mounting from clubs, fans, and key stakeholders, this disciplinary action marks a decisive step by the NFF to address the issue head-on.
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It also signals a renewed focus on officiating quality as the league continues its push for higher standards both on and off the pitch.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on the NFF and its committees to ensure that such measures translate into more consistent and credible officiating across the league.
