Dope tinted quarter-miler, Folashade Abughan emerged from hiding during the week to allege that Athletics Federation of Nigeria, AFN secretary-general, Maria Wophil played a role in her positive test to banned substance at the Commonwealth Games last October in New Delhi.

Folashade Abughan

This revelation, according to AFN medical and doping committee chairman, Dr. Ken Anugweje was shocking and embarrassing to the AFN, especially when the athlete, during her dope hearing in Abuja, told a different story about how she got snared with testosterone prohormone.

The Ekiti-born athlete, not given to many words, stated that it was Mrs. Wophil who introduced Olumide George, the former athlete she alleged to have supplied the prohibited substance, to her.

But Dr. Anugweje shot down the athlete’s claims. He said when Abughan appeared before a panel committee that probed Nigerian athletes’ involvement in drugs at the Commonwealth Games she did not mention the name of the AFN secretary-general.

“We are shocked by her outbursts, because that was not what she told us last November when she appeared before an ad hoc committee.

“She told us that it was her room mate during the last Mobil Championships in Calabar that introduced her to the drug supplier. She even told us that this guy took her to a governor of one the South Western states.

“Abughan was in the company of her European manager when she came for the hearing. They both pleaded for a lighter punishment because of the effect a lengthy ban would have on her career

“So it is surprising that she is now turning around to give a different story,” said the AFN board member.

Abugan was stripped of the silver she won in the 400m flat and the 4x400m relay, after she tested positive to the banned drug. She was the third Nigerian athlete to fail a drugs test at the New Delhi Games after 110m hurdler Samuel Okon and Damola Osayemi, who claimed gold in the women’s 100m.