Nigerian sprinter, Divine Oduduru has been given a six-year suspension for doping

Nigerian sprinter Divine Oduduru has received a six-year suspension as a result of a verdict from the World Athletics Disciplinary Tribunal. The tribunal was established to investigate allegations of two potential Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU).

The tribunal’s findings, exclusively acquired by Bold Sports, revealed that Oduduru was found guilty of both possession (Rule 2.6 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules; ADR) and/or use or attempted use of multiple Prohibited Substances (Rule 2.2 ADR).

In the 51-page judgment dated September 18, signed by Anna Bordiugova, Oduduru was linked to his compatriot Blessing Okagbare, who received an 11-year ban for her use of prohibited substances. It’s worth noting that Oduduru himself didn’t test positive for any banned substances. Instead, his alleged involvement stemmed from a WhatsApp message exchange between Okagbare and her supplier, Eric Lira, where “Divine” and “we” were mentioned during their discussion.

Oduduru maintained that throughout the period from the conversations in 2019 to 2021 when the substances were reportedly discovered in his apartment, and even up to February 2023 when he was provisionally suspended, he underwent numerous tests and consistently returned negative results. He argued that he was the victim of a conspiracy to implicate him.

Despite his defense, the tribunal ruled against him, finding him guilty of violating rules 2.6 and 2.2 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules. Consequently, he has been banned for six years, effective from February 6, 2023. The ruling stipulated, “The Athlete has committed ADRVs under Rules 2.6 and 2.2 ADR. The violations shall be considered together as one single first violation.”