Nigerian Concord Newspaper
Former vice chairman of Lobi Stars, Mr. Dominic Iorfa has accused the Benue state government of witch hunting him and owing him N400 million which he borrowed to sustain the Club during his time as the technical head.
Iorfa, an ex international player spoke during a live interview which was broadcast on in Facebook three days ago.
Joining Iorfa to blackmail the state governor, Reverend Father Hyacinth Alia and the current Vice Chairman of the club, Mr. Philip Nongu was a coach In the club, Mr. Austin Tyowua who has been using about three pseudo Facebook accounts to blackmail the governor and Nongu. One of the fake pseudo account that is being operated by Tyowua to blackmail the governor bears “Hillary Agber”
Recall that there were confirmed allegations of massive frauds, illegal diversion of club vehicles as well as match fixing against Iorfa while he was leading the team.
Apart from his high-handedness, Iorfa was also accused of owing players and staffs. He was also fixing their funds in his private bank accounts on several occasions in order to get bank interests.
All these allegations led to his unceremonious sack by Governor Hyacinth Alia two years ago after they were found to be true.
But, independent investigation by this newspaper showed that Iorfa was being economical with truths with his statements during the recent interview.
This newspaper gathered that the sacked Lobi Stars Vice Chairman has also made plans to attack his successor, Mr. Philip Nongu with the support of some paid media influencers.
Iorfa, it was gathered has directed his media handlers to falsely accuse Nongu for corruption, match fixing and inflation of expenses.
The former VIce chairman of the Club has also commissioned his media influencers to falsely paint a picture to the public that Governor Alia was responsible for the club’s recent relegation.
Our investigation through the financial records of Lobi Stars which were made available to this newspaper showed that Mr. Philip Nongu has never inflated club expenses as accused by Iorfa’s media handlers.
“Why is Iorfa using social media influencers to falsely accused his successor of fraud, inflation and match fixing just because he is on a mission to tarnish his image. He is just looking for a way to make the governor hate him unjustly.
“His statement during the interview where he mocked the club for entering relegation is enough that he has a sinister motive against the governor, Nongu and the club.
“Mr. Dominic is just trying to destroy Philip just like his own image had been destroyed and he is now accusing the government falsely for witch hunting him” a source within the club told this newspaper during our investigation.
Meanwhile, some players of Lobi Stars who chatted with our reporters during the investigation stated that the allegations against Nongu are very untrue. They added that it’s with his (Nongu) efrorts that unity and love returned back to the club after Iorfa had used his divide and rule trick to scatter the whole place.
According to them, all the players and club workers are happy with the current Vice Chairman for his unflinching loyalty, impartiality, and total dedication to the club’s vision with a promise to continue to work with him to achieve a common goal.
Meanwhile, the Club has reacted to allegations by Dominic Iorfa, saying g that they were misleading and lacked truth.
The club made its disclaimer in a statement from its media office.
The statement reads below:
The attention of Lobi Stars Football Club has been drawn to a recent television interview by Mr. Dominic Iorfa, a former Vice Chairman of the club. In the said interview, Mr. Iorfa made several unfounded and misleading claims against the club, the Benue State Government, and the current leadership of Lobi Stars.
While we acknowledge his past role in the club, it is important to correct the narrative and ensure the public is not misled.
1. On Alleged Relegation and “Begging”
Mr. Iorfa alleged that Lobi Stars went on relegation and claimed “they have not begged him.” We find this both laughable and disappointing. Is the progress of a club that represents an entire state now tied to begging one man?
Lobi Stars is a state-owned football institution, not a personal legacy. The idea that the club cannot win unless Mr. Iorfa is begged speaks more to personal ego than genuine concern for the team.
2. On Dr. Philip Nongu’s Competence
It is curious that Mr. Iorfa dismissed the current Chairman, Dr. Philip Nongu, by referring to him as “his former secretary.” Ironically, this only proves that Dr. Nongu has the requisite experience and institutional memory to lead the club.
If succession must be built on loyalty and understanding of the system, who better than someone who served closely and supported Mr. Iorfa during his tenure? Why then did Mr. Iorfa not support his own brother in arms to succeed?
3. On the Bendel Insurance Match
The claim that Lobi Stars “begged” Bendel Insurance to win a match is false and insulting. Lobi Stars won that match on merit, not through manipulation or begging.
The current board came in just two days before the start of the season, inheriting players, technical crew, and staff loyal to Mr. Iorfa. Despite this, the new leadership focused on restructuring, identifying key players, and instilling a winning mentality. The turnaround came late, but it was honest and strategic.
4. On Undermining from Within
Let it be clear, the early defeats suffered by the club were not due to a lack of competence by the new board, but largely because loyalists of the former leadership resisted change. If someone silently works to destabilize a system, how then can that system thrive?
Leadership requires maturity. True leaders step aside and support those coming behind, not sabotage them.
5. On Unpaid Salaries and Evasion of Questions
During the interview, Mr. Iorfa dodged direct questions, particularly on whether salaries for June and July were unpaid. The facts are clear: two months’ salaries were owed before the new board resumed. These debts were not inherited from the government but left behind by Mr. Iorfa himself.
6. On Government’s Support
The Benue State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, has shown strong commitment to Lobi Stars. The purchase of a new coaster bus, two brand new Hummer buses, and a Hilux vehicle, all delivered while Mr. Iorfa was still in office.
The government has never withheld support. The club’s challenges are not a reflection of neglect but of poor transition, internal resistance, and lingering entitlement.
7. A Final Word on Legacy
Mr. Iorfa once boasted of producing a player, his son. But leadership is not only about producing players; it’s about producing systems, structure, and successors. If David did not build the temple due to war, Solomon did in peace. A wise leader builds legacies that outlive them.
As a Tiv proverb says, “The man who sets fire to the barn because he no longer eats from it forgets that others still feed from its store.
Let us not destroy what still serves the community simply because we are no longer in control.
Lobi Stars Football Club, under the leadership of Dr. Philip Nongu, remains focused on rebuilding and returning the club to the elite division. With the full support of the Benue State Government and the resilient spirit of our players and supporters, Lobi Stars will rise again.
We urge the public to disregard baseless claims and continue to support the team. The dream is bigger than any one individual, and our collective strength will carry us forward.