The absence or transgression of justice, equality, or fairness is referred to as injustice. It occurs when a person(s), body or group receive unjust treatment, have their rights violated, or receive the incorrect kind of reward or punishment.
Therefore, injustice is when someone or group is or are treated unfairly or incorrectly, particularly when it violates the law, moral principles, or the truth.
It goes by the saying that injustice can have grave and far-reaching effects on people, groups, and entire civilizations.
Among the main effects of injustice are:
1. A decline in social stability and trust. In this case people normally lose faith in situations or the legal system when they perceive that they have been treated unfairly which usually results in the protests and social upheaval; a breakdown of law and order and weak governance as a result of citizens’ unwillingness to cooperate or follow the law.
2. Resentment, division, and anger. Additionally, injustice makes people resentful and hostile. Which may also result in: Tribal, ethnic, or religious tensions if injustice targets certain groups; polarization as people cease viewing themselves as a single community; violence and retaliation as people take matters into their own hands; etc.
3. A decline in morality. This is a situation when people start to think that doing wrong is okay if it benefits them personally when injustice becomes the norm. This causes: Morality and empathy to erode; Corruption to become ingrained in society; the breakdown of ethical norms.
From the foregoing, it may be concluded that a lot of social vices stem from injustice, wherever it takes place. People frequently take the law into their own hands as a result of this act.
So what transpired at the Sani Abacha Stadium (SAS) penultimate Sunday was undoubtedly caused by the injustice done to Kano Pillars by referee Mohammed B. Tuta of Adamawa and assistant referee Ben Japhet of Benue, who conspired and officiated the NPFL Week 8 match incompetently.
The referees’ actions were perceived by many as daylight robbery, which surely set off the regrettable events that transpired in the stadium that day.
Just as the conduct of the fans who encroached on the field were regrettable and unacceptable, so were the referees’ actions during the game.
By handling the game in a way that favored the visiting team, they were unjust and unfair to Kano Pillars FC.
The referee’s unwillingness to provide two unambiguous penalty kicks and the disallowance of a Kano Pillars player’s obviously valid goal were two more examples of the game’s subpar officiating.
No one supported the actions of the few fans who invaded the pitch, but it is clear that the match officials were the real culprits.
A number of video clips have shown and confirmed blatant instances in which referee Mohammed B. Tuta wrongfully denied Kano Pillars their justly earned victory at home.
Undoubtedly, those three or more key incidents, along with several other questionable decisions, triggered the fans’ reaction against the match officials.
Credit must, however, go to the security personnel stationed at the stadium, who acted swiftly and used all available means to disperse the crowd and restore order.
Unfortunately, the NPFL, which is in charge of the league, swiftly without waiting for reports fined Kano Pillars an absurd ₦9.5 million and slapped other penalties on them without waiting for a comprehensive investigation or a comprehensive report on the occurrence.
The team was fined a total of 9.5 million naira by the NPFL for several violations of league rules, including failing to provide sufficient security (Rule B13.52) and ₦1 million for not disciplining fans who heckled the visiting team and referees (Rule C9).
For items thrown onto the field, there is a ₦1 million fine (Rule B13.18), for discrediting the league, ₦1 million (Rule C1.1), Kano Pillars was also fined ₦2 million for attacking the officials and away team.
Kano Pillars will again pay the Shooting Stars players will get ₦2 million in compensation and restitution of ₦1.5 million to match officials who were assaulted
In addition to all of this, the team has been permanently banished to Katsina State for their remaining home games by the NPFL.
The NPFL also announced that Pillars will lose three points and three goals for violating Rule C1.1, which forbids attacking referees and opposition teams.
According to reports, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Match Officials Appointment Committee received a letter from the NPFL suggesting a review and potential demotion of five referees.
Center referee Mohammed B. Tuta (Adamawa) and assistant referees Bem Japhet (Benue) and Shehu Isah (Adamawa) are among the Kano Pillars/3SC match officials who are impacted.
To be honest, I don’t understand how the NPFL board or its secretary are taken unilateral action in response to any regrettable situation.
Kano Pillars FC was more negatively impacted by the disciplinary action described above, which only suggested a demotion for the actual offender.
In my opinion, this is blatant injustice committed on the home side, while the offender is getting away with it.
Kano Pillars Football Club has a long history of disciplinary issues and sanctions imposed by the League Management Company (LMC), now the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), and occasionally by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).
Over the years, the club has faced numerous penalties for crowd violence, assault on match officials, and general breaches of security and fair play regulations.
Many people are perplexed as to why these sanctions are always imposed so quickly sometimes even within hours of an incident when Kano Pillars are involved. I don’t think other teams are given the same treatment.
In April 2022, a similar incident occurred during a match between Kano Pillars and Katsina United, where fans vandalized the visiting team’s bus and sparked widespread violence.
In response, the then LMC fined the club ₦9 million, deducted three points, banned the Sani Abacha Stadium, and ordered the team to pay for the damages while relocating their home matches to Abuja.
In 2021, Kano Pillars were fined ₦7.5 million for allowing fans into the stadium in violation of COVID-19 restrictions.
In 2022 another incident involving Dakkada FC, the club’s chairman physically assaulted an assistant referee, resulting in points’ deduction that eventually contributed to their relegation from the top flight league.
These incidents reflect a recurring pattern of misconduct and increasing sanctions. Between 2019 and 2025, Kano Pillars accumulated over ₦46 million in fines, making them one of the most heavily penalized clubs in Nigerian professional football.
The NPFL and NFF have both cited repeated breaches of discipline, yet some observers argue that enforcement remains inconsistent and sometimes lenient compared with sanctions against other clubs.
In other instances, decisions were reversed or reduced on appeal, creating perceptions of bias or procedural inconsistency.
The regulatory framework guiding such sanctions is contained in the NPFL Framework and Rules (2023–2024 Edition).
It empowers the League to impose penalties such as reprimands, fines, point deductions, stadium bans, and match forfeitures for any breach of conduct.
The rules also allow the NPFL to apply “summary jurisdiction,” which enables quick action for clear breaches—provided that notice is served via Form 16 and the fine does not exceed ₦5 million per infraction.
Clubs have the right to appeal within 14 days, ensuring that due process is observed. Repeated or aggravated offenses must attract heavier punishment.
Although recent actions against Kano Pillars show greater firmness by the NPFL, there remains a need for fairness, consistency, and transparency in how such cases are handled.
Decisions should follow clearly defined procedures, allowing for evidence collection, formal hearings, and written explanations of verdicts.
Sanctions must be proportionate to the offense and progressively severe for repeat offenders.
Clubs should also be compelled to identify and prosecute culprits, submit enhanced security plans, and implement stricter crowd-control measures.
For better handling of future cases, the League should adopt an ethical and transparent disciplinary process.
This begins with immediate incident reporting by match officials, evidence collection through video footage and witness statements, and the issuance of a summary jurisdiction notice within 48 hours.
If the club contests the decision, a disciplinary hearing should follow within one week, allowing both sides to present their cases.
Sanctions should not only involve fines but also include other deterrents such as stadium closures, venue relocations, point deductions, and mandatory compensation for victims.
The NPFL and NFF must ensure fairness and consistency by applying the same rules to all clubs, regardless of their popularity or regional influence.
Regular reviews of disciplinary cases and the public release of sanction summaries will further help build transparency and strengthen public confidence in the system.
Furthermore, the League should invest in preventive measures, including CCTV installation, ticketing systems that identify fans, and proper training for stewards and security personnel.
Finally, assaults on match officials and property damage should be treated not only as sporting misconduct but as criminal offenses subject to national law.
As demonstrated in the Pillars vs. 3SC game, match referees who abuse their whistle and perform poorly and must to be subject to severe sanctions in order to stop similar occurrences in the future.
Match assessors should be tasked with identifying incompetent referees who misuse their whistle and ruin matches, causing chaos and destroying the beauty of the game.
League officials should collaborate with law enforcement agencies to address this issue and ensure that those responsible for such ugly incidents are brought to justice.
The NPFL can restore the integrity of Nigerian football and eliminate the culture of impunity that has long plagued league clubs by enforcing discipline firmly and fairly among clubs, officials, and supporters.
The same way Kano Pillars FC is facing the wrath of the NPFL laws is the same way the three match officials should also face justice. The recommended demotion is far too lenient.
I strongly suggest a lifetime ban to serve as an example and a warning to all referees who misuse their whistle and ruin the beauty of the game.
