Tag: suspended

Algerian defender Youcef Atal convicted of provoking racial hatred, bags eight-month suspended prison sentence

Algerian and OGC Nice player Youcef Atal – Getty image Youcef Atal has been found guilty of provoking racial hatred and received eight-month suspended prison sentence along with €45,000 fine. The 27-year-old Algerian international was implicated after sharing a video on Instagram from Palestinian preacher Mahmoud al-Hasanat, who prayed for a “dark day” for Jewish people. Although Atal quickly deleted the post, it drew criticism, including from Nice’s mayor, Christian Estrosi, who stated that Atal would not be welcome at OGC Nice unless he denounced Hamas terrorists. Following the incident, Atal was suspended by both the France FA and his club, OGC Nice, and has not played since then. Algerian and OGC Nice player Youcef Atal – Getty image Speculation suggests that he may have already played his last game for the club, with interest reportedly coming from Turkish clubs. During the December hearing, the Nice Public Prosecutor sought a 10-month suspended prison sentence, but the tribunal decided on an eight-month suspended sentence. As part of the verdict, Atal is also required to cover the costs of publishing the verdict in Nice-Matin and Le Monde. Atal, currently on international duty with Algeria for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), has ten days to appeal the decision.

Court admits suspended CBN governor, Emefiele to N20m bail

Justice Nicholas Oweibo of a Federal High in Lagos, on Tuesday, admitted the suspended Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele to bail in the sum of N20 million. Emefiele is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on possession of a single barrel shotgun, as well as possession of 123 rounds of live ammunition without licences.

Suspended CBN governor, Emefiele He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge. After his plea, defence counsel, Mr Joseph Daudu, SAN, who led four other senior advocates, informed the court of a bail application filed on behalf of the defendant. Dedence’s counsel told the court that the same had been served on the prosecution, adding that there is a stamp of the office of the Attorney General as proof. But the prosecutor, Mrs N.B Jones, objected to the bail application on the grounds that she had not been served with a copy of the application. She informed the court that her office had been on the lookout for a possible bail application of the defendant but had seen none. She added that since she has just been aware of the application in court, she then requires time to respond by way of affidavit since facts have been deposed. Besides, she noted that since there is no sitting Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) at the moment, the defence could not have effectively served the same. But defence counsel told the court that the prosecutor had no excuse not to proceed today in response of the bail application as the same had been duly served on the prosecution’s office. He argued that the office of the AGF is a creation of statute, and so cannot exist in a vacuum. He urged the court to so hold In a short ruling, the court agreed with the submission of defence counsel and urged him to move the defendant’s bail application. Moving the application, defence counsel urged the court to admit the defendant to bail as he is not a flight risk being, a reputable former Governor of CBN. He told the court that the defendant had been kept in custody for a long and had lost so much weight and so, requires medical attention. Defence also informed the court that the defendant will be available to stand trial, adding that assuming the prosecutor had produced a witness, the defence would have been ready to proceed. He, therefore, urged the court to grant the defendant bail. In response, the prosecutor informed the court that she was opposed to the bail application of the defendant as he was a flight risk She told the court that the defendant had refused to submit his international passport which indicates such flight risk Besides, she also told the court that being a very influential citizen of Nigeria, the defendant could also interfere with the case and evidence intended to be led by the prosecution. She urged the court to refuse bail In his ruling, Justice Oweibo agreed with the submission of the defence counsel on the grounds that the offence for which the defendant is charged is bailable. The court held that bail can only be denied where any of the circumstances set out in section 162 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, is established. The court held that the prosecution has not furnished such circumstances before the court. The court consequently, granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N20 million with one surety in like sum The court held that the surety must depose to an affidavit of means. and have a landed property. He urged that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the correctional service pending the perfection of bail The court adjourned the case until Nov. 14 for trial In the charge, the prosecutor told the court that the defendant who resides at No 8 Colorado Street in Maitama Abuja, committed the offence on June 15, at No. 3b Iru Close, Ikoyi Lagos. He was alleged to have in his possession a single barrel shot (Jojeff Magnum 8371) without a licence. The defendant was also alleged to have in his possession, 123 rounds of live ammunition cartridges, without licence. The offence contravenes the provisions of sections 4 and 8 of the Firearms Act, Cap F28, Law of the Federation, 2004.

admits Bail CBN Court Emefiele Governor N20M suspended

“Suspended EFCC Chairman, Bawa in our custody for questioning” ― DSS

The Department of State Services (DSS) said the suspended Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, has arrived at its office for questioning. Bawa is at the DSS office over allegations of abuse of office brought against him.
The Public Relations Officer of the DSS, Dr Peter Afunanya, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja. Suspended EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa “The DSS has invited Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, the suspended Chairman of the EFCC and he arrived a few hours ago. “The invitation relates to some investigative activities concerning him,” he said. President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday approved the indefinite suspension of the EFCC Chairman from office. A statement from the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation said the suspension was to allow for a proper investigation into his conduct while in office. The statement said the suspension followed weighty allegations of abuse of office levelled against the suspended EFCC boss. It directed Bawa to immediately handover the affairs of his office to the Director of Operations in the commission, The statement said the director would oversee the affairs of the office of the chairman, pending the conclusion of the investigation. Recall that former president Muhammadu Buhari appointed Abdulrasheed Bawa as substantive chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Bawa took over from Mohammed Umar who was then in acting capacity since July 2020 after the suspension of Ibrahim Magu over allegations of corruption.

Bawa Chairman custody DSS EFCC questioning suspended

Emefiele arrested by DSS after being suspended by Tinubu

Suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele has reportedly been arrested by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). Recall that Willie Bassey, a Director in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, announced the CBN Governor’s suspension on Friday night.

Suspended CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele. Source: Web He was asked to hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), who will act as the Central Bank Governor pending the conclusion of investigation and the reforms. Bassey said; “This is sequel to the ongoing investigation of his office and the planned reforms in the financial sector of the economy. “Mr. Emefiele has been directed to immediately hand over the affairs of his office to the Deputy Governor (Operations Directorate), who will act as the Central Bank Governor pending the conclusion of investigation and the reforms.” Shortly after it was announced that Emefiele has been suspended, it’s been also gathered that he’s been arrested by the DSS. The DSS had filed its case (ex-parte motion) against Emefiele on December 7, 2022, seeking permission to arrest, probe, and detain him. The suspended CBN Governor was accused of;

Operatives of the Department of State Services. Source: Web 1. Funding Unknown gunmen, ESN and IPOB with money he raised for his failed presidential bid last year and funds diverted from government coffers 2. Mismanagement of Nigeria’s social investment program (NISRAL and the Anchor Borrowers Scheme) 3. Illegal economic crimes of National security dimension 4. Money Laundering 5. Unwholesome activities through proxies 6. Round tripping 7. Conferment of financial benefits to self and others 8. Threat to National Security 9. Criminal conspiracy to divert government resources 10. Terrorism Financing However, on December 9, a federal high court in Abuja declined the application filed by the DSS. The court said at the time that such an application should have been accompanied by presidential approval because of the grave implications for the Nigerian economy if the CBN governor is arrested and detained.

arrested DSS Emefiele suspended TINUBU

Messi suspended by PSG over unauthorized trip to Saudi Arabia

Lionel Messi has reportedly been suspended by PSG for two weeks after making an unauthorised trip to Saudi Arabia. PSG boss Christophe Galtier had reportedly told PSG players that they would be given Monday and Tuesday off from training if they defeat Lorient. They were however defeated 3-1 by Lorient on Sunday, April 30, and the players were called in for training on Monday, May 1.

ESPN reported that Messi flew to Saudi Arabia following the defeat and did not report to training on Monday. PSG initially considered handing the 35-year-old a fine, as “the situation created tensions within the dressing room, with some players unhappy with the incident.” Popular journalist, Fabrizio Romano reported that PSG has decided to suspend Lionel Messi for two weeks (two games), perhaps complicating any ongoing negotiations for a new contract. He tweeted; “Paris Saint-Germain have decided to suspend Lionel Messi with immediate effect for two weeks, sources confirm. The suspension will take place now after Messi’s trip to Saudi NOT authorized by the club as per @RMCSport. Messi side, still waiting on official communication.” 🚨 Paris Saint-Germain have decided to suspend Lionel Messi with immediate effect for two weeks, sources confirm. The suspension will take place now after Messi’s trip to Saudi NOT authorized by the club as per @RMCSport. Messi side, still waiting on official communication. pic.twitter.com/j223WK2r5Z — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 2, 2023 Messi’s PSG contract is set to expire after this season, with widely reported interest from MLS (Inter Miami) and Saudi Arabia (Al Hilal). Barcelona has also explored the possibility of bringing Messi back to Camp Nou following his dramatic departure in the summer of 2021.

Arabia MESSI psg Saudi suspended trip unauthorized

Police confirms receiving letter from INEC to probe suspended Adamawa REC

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has confirmed receiving a letter from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), asking it to investigate suspended Adamawa Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Hudu Yunusa Ari over his role in the state’s governorship election.

Ari was suspended by the electoral commission after he declared the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Aisha ‘Binani’ Dahiru as the winner while results were yet to be fully collated. The police have now confirmed that they received INEC’s letter demanding Yunusa-Ari’s probe. NPF’s spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi said in a statement; “The Nigeria Police Force is in receipt of a letter dated 18th April 2023 from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) detailing the alleged impropriety of the actions of one Barr. Hudu Yunusa-Ari, the Adamawa State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), during the recently concluded supplementary elections and called on the Police to investigate and possibly prosecute the REC for his actions. “The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, CFR, has directed an investigative team to work in collaboration with the INEC to expedite action on the contents of the letter. “The Inspector-General of Police while expressing the commitment of the NPF to upholding democratic values, assures Nigerians and the international community, that the Police will leave no stone unturned in unraveling the remote causes of the unwholesome conduct of the REC as well as ensure that all persons fingered in the course of investigations are brought to book.”

ADAMAWA Confirms INEC letter police probe REC receiving suspended

Governor Matawalle reinstates monarch suspended for turbaning bandits’ leader

Alh. Aliyu Garba Marafa has been reinstated as Emir of Birnin Yandoto by Governor Bello Matawalle of Zamfara state. The Emir was suspended by Matawalle in July 2022, after conferring a chieftaincy title on a bandit kingpin, Ado Aleiru, who he claimed played a huge role during a peace process arranged between the emirate and bandits who terrorized Tsafe Local Government Area (LGA). Kabiru Balarabe Sardauna, Secretary to the State Government, announced the monarch’s reinstatement on Sunday, April 23. Sardauna said Marafa’s reinstatement was based on the recommendations of the committee constituted to investigate the issue. The statement partly read;

“The committee found no evidence of any ill motive or collaboration between the Emir and the bandit. “This is to inform the public that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, MON, (Shatiman Sokoto), has approved the reinstatement of Alh. Aliyu Garba Marafa as the Emir of Birnin Yandoto. “His reinstatement is based on the recommendations of the Committee constituted to investigate all issues pertaining to the conferment of a traditional title to a repentant bandit, Ado Aleiru. The committee found no evidence of any ill motive or collaboration between the Emir and the bandit. “Based on the findings of the committee, the traditional title was conferred on the repentant bandit as part of peace building efforts between the repentant bandit and banditry-affected communities in Tsafe and Gusau Local Government Areas, which include Yandoto town. The reinstatement takes immediate effect.”

bandits Governor leader Matawalle monarch reinstates suspended turbaning

Sterling Bank shares trading suspended by NGX

Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGX) suspended trading of Sterling Bank shares on its floor as part of preparations for a bank restructuring, according to a notice in its weekly report of activities. The report which took an effect on Thursday stated, “The suspension is necessary to prevent trading in the shares of the bank in preparation for the scheme of arrangement between the bank and the holders of its fully paid ordinary shares of 50 Kobo each for restructuring of the bank. The suspension is required to determine the shareholders who will qualify for the scheme.” In addition, Sterling Bank requested an extension for the filing of its annual financial statements for the year ended 31st December 2022, with the revised deadline set for 30th April 2023. In a notice to the NGX, the bank’s Company Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, Temitayo Adegoke, highlighted the bank’s top priority of regulatory compliance and transparency, while also stating that they are working with auditors to finalise the AFS. The letter to the Nigerian bourse stated that “In continuing compliance with the post listing requirements of the NGX, the previously announced closed period which commenced on 1st of January 2023 will continue until 24 hours after the AFS for the year ended 31st of December 2022 is released on the floor of the Exchange.”

Bank NGX Shares STERLING suspended trading