The Nigeria Football Federation, NFF's factional president, Chris Giwa, is suing the world football governing body, FIFA, over its threat to suspend Nigeria if Mr. Giwa fails to vacate office by Monday.

Mr. Giwa's representative said Sunday a case has been filed at the Court of Arbitration for Sports, CAS, in Switzerland to stop FIFA from interfering in Nigerian football affairs.

Details of the suit could not be immediately confirmed.

"Delegates on behalf of Chris Giwa has taken the matter to CAS because that is the only recognised football court, he is waiting for them to decide and call FIFA to other and stop their ban threats, he's the rightful President of the NFF so we will wait and see, they don't have the power to ban us over internal crisis," said Ben Agary, an assistant to Mr. Giwa.

Mr. Giwa heads a faction of the Nigerian football body, rocked by leadership crisis for months between Mr. Giwa and Aminu Maigari who has been in charge for years.

Mr. Maigari says he remains in charge until an election he supervises as his tenure comes to an end September.

Mr. Giwa's claim to the office has been rejected by FIFA, which has threatened to suspend Nigeria if he fails to step down by Monday.

Mr. Agary said the sports court in Switzerland will determine the case and stop FIFA from suspending Nigeria.

"How can he leave? Giwa is going nowhere and will not leave that seat, as I'm talking to you right now he is attending to the Team in Calabar to ensure they are well prepared before their departure for South Africa where they will continue their AFCON 2015 qualifier," Mr. Agary said

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Premier League Club Owners has suspended former NPL chairman, Rumsom Baribote, and two others for accepting to serve on the Interim League committee set up by Mr. Giwa.

Along with Mr. Baribote, chairman of FC Taraba and Premier League stakeholder, Fatai Olayinka, was suspended Sunday.

The club owners also has suspended FC Taraba, Nembe City and Crown FC from all league matches, accusing the three of anti-association activities.

"It would be recalled that the affected member- clubs disregarded the directive of the Club Owners by accepting membership of an Interim League committee which contradicted with the position and stand of the association, they are hereby suspended," said a statement signed by the Club Owners Acting Chairman, Issac Danladi, and the Acting Secretary, Alloy Chukwuemeka.