The Referee Development Committee of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has suspended three referees — Mohammed B. Tuta, Ben Japhet, and Ikechukwu Taiwo — from officiating in the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL).

The decision was announced in a statement signed by the committee’s secretary, Ameenu Mohammed.

According to the statement, Tuta and Japhet were sanctioned for decisions that “fell short of professional standards” during the NPFL Matchday 8 clash between Kano Pillars and Shooting Stars at the Sani Abacha Stadium, a game that was later marred by fan violence.

Similarly, Taiwo, who officiated the encounter between Nasarawa United and Rangers, was suspended for awarding what the committee described as an “unjustified penalty.”

The NFF Referee Development Committee confirmed that all three officials have been suspended indefinitely, pending further review and participation in retraining programmes.

Reaffirming its zero-tolerance stance on poor officiating, the committee emphasized its commitment to integrity, transparency, and professionalism within Nigerian football.

It also warned that any referee found compromising match standards will face strict disciplinary measures.