The Nigeria Premier Football League has lifted the balance of Bendel Insurance coach Kennedy Boboye’s suspension, allowing him to resume his place in the technical area.
Quick facts
- Boboye may return to the bench for the 2026/27 NPFL campaign.
- The outstanding punishment will apply again if he commits similar misconduct this season.
- Bendel Insurance open the season at home against Warri Wolves on Sunday, August 30.
The league reached its decision after considering the club’s appeal, Boboye’s written apology and request for clemency, his behaviour while suspended, and his past contribution to Nigeria as both a player and a national-team technical official.
A letter issued on August 10, 2026, and signed by NPFL Chief Operating Officer Davidson Owumi confirmed the reprieve. The league warned, however, that any comparable offence during the 2026/27 season would trigger the remaining part of the ban.
Boboye is consequently available to coach from the touchline when the campaign starts. Bendel Insurance, also known as the Benin Arsenal, are due to welcome Warri Wolves on August 30.
The case stemmed from a 2-2 league draw between Bendel Insurance and Plateau United at Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City on March 28, 2026. Boboye was ruled to have committed serious misconduct against a match official and was originally suspended for 17 matches, alongside a ₦2 million penalty.
The club received a separate ₦5 million fine and was instructed to stage its next three home fixtures without spectators. Those sanctions followed alleged breaches linked to the episode, including crowd problems and insufficient security that reportedly enabled unauthorised individuals to enter areas restricted to officials.
Boboye rejected the allegations after the ruling and published video footage that he said disputed the official version of events. Bendel Insurance also denounced what happened and issued apologies to the NPFL and the Nigeria Referees Association.
With the suspension partly set aside, the league reminded Boboye that he must uphold the standards expected of a role model for players and younger coaches.
The decision has been received positively within the Bendel Insurance community. The club thanked the NPFL and its Disciplinary Committee, describing the outcome as fair and beneficial.
