By Henry Ojelu
A Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, has ordered the publication of a winding-up petition filed against Monimichelle Sports Facilities Construction Limited over an alleged unpaid debt owed to former President of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Amaju Melvin Pinnick OFR ROI
Justice A. Nganjiwa, in a ruling delivered on April 29, 2026, but obtained by Vanguard at the weekend, dismissed an application by Monimichelle seeking to restrain the advertisement of the petition and granted Pinnick leave to publish the winding-up proceedings in accordance with the Companies Winding-Up Rules 2001.
The petition, filed before the Federal High Court, seeks an order winding up Monimichelle Sports Facilities Construction Limited on grounds of alleged inability to pay debts as provided under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020.
According to court filings, Pinnick alleged that he advanced a loan of $100,000 and an additional N5 million to the company in 2023 to support the execution of a FIFA-funded mini stadium project at Ugborodo in Delta State.
The petitioner claimed the funds were provided following representations by the company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ebi Ezekiel Egbe, that financial assistance was urgently needed pending the release of project funds.
Pinnick further alleged that the company executed a written agreement dated November 6, 2023, acknowledging receipt of the funds and undertaking to repay the loan upon receipt of payments connected to the project.
According to the petition, despite repeated demands and a formal demand letter issued in March 2025, the company allegedly failed to repay the debt.
The petitioner contended that Monimichelle’s inability to settle the outstanding sums, coupled with what he described as continued defaults, demonstrated that the company was unable to pay its debts.
Pinnick also relied on a July 15, 2025 letter from the NFF terminating Monimichelle’s contract for the construction of the NFF/FIFA Forward 2.0 Mini Stadium project at Ugborodo.
The NFF, in the termination notice attached to the petition, stated that the contract was ended after the company allegedly failed to resume work on site and bring the project to a level commensurate with funds already released despite receiving notice to remedy the situation.
However, Monimichelle, through its solicitors, disputed allegations of wrongdoing and maintained that delays affecting the project were caused by technical and logistical challenges.
In a response referenced in the court filings, the company’s lawyers acknowledged the existence of the November 2023 loan agreement but argued that unforeseen issues relating to project drawings, topographical conditions and transportation constraints affected project execution.
Monimichelle also rejected allegations of fraud, insisting there was no intention to deceive when the financial assistance was obtained and that project delays were caused by operational challenges rather than misrepresentation.
The substantive petition seeking the winding up of Monimichelle is yet to be determined by the court.
—Separate arbitration proceedings
The winding-up petition comes amid a separate arbitration dispute involving Monimichelle and the Incorporated Trustees of Brownhill Foundation, an entity linked to Pinnick.
In the arbitration commenced under the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023, Brownhill Foundation alleged that Monimichelle breached two contracts awarded in 2023 for the construction of a standard synthetic football pitch and installation of sports lighting facilities at Hussey College, Warri.
According to the claimant’s Point of Claim dated October 28, 2025, the foundation alleged that it paid a total contract sum of N175 million to Monimichelle but that the company failed to complete the projects within the agreed three-month period.
The claimant further alleged that it incurred additional expenses amounting to N76.12 million in site preparation, sand filling, logistics and other project-related costs, and was subsequently compelled to engage another contractor to complete the projects at an estimated additional cost of N43 million and $180,000.
Based on those allegations, Brownhill Foundation is seeking declarations that Monimichelle breached the contracts, refunds of sums allegedly paid, damages, interest and costs.
Monimichelle has contested the claims in the arbitration proceedings, which remain pending before the arbitral tribunal.
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