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Court slams Fidelity Bank And Others N10m Fine Over Rights Violation

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Court slams Fidelity BankAnd Others N10m Fine Over Rights Violation

On Monday, the Maitama Division of the Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and three others to pay N10 million in fine for violating fundamental rights.

Other respondents included Abdulrasheed Bawa, a former EFCC head, an EFCC official, Calistus, and Fidelity Bank Plc.

Justice Peter Kekemeke slapped the expense on the respondents as he handed judgment in a lawsuit filed by Michael Kundera to enforce his fundamental rights.

The judge held that the respondents violated the applicant’s fundamental rights by arresting and detaining him from May 15 to May 16, 2023, without charging him to court or releasing him on bail.

He added that a 75-year-old man should not be subjected to such treatment.

“I hereby declare that the arrest and detention of the applicant from May 15 to May 16, 2023, was unlawful and violated the applicant’s fundamental rights. The harassment of the applicant in a matter already decided by the court is a violation of his rights, and the 1st to 3rd respondents exceeded their bounds.

“The case of the applicant succeeds, and the respondents are ordered to pay the sum of N10 million severally or jointly to the applicant for violation of his fundamental rights,” the judge said.

The judge also ordered the respondents to pay N2 million as a cost for the action.

Mr Kundera, through his counsel, O. Orji, in suit no CV/6258/23, told the court that the applicant was invited, detained, and refused administrative bail in a matter decided already by an FCT high court.

He said that the subject matter was a plot of land at the foreign affairs quarters, which lawfully belonged to the applicant.

According to the applicant’s counsel, the matter is also pending at the court of appeal marked CA/ABJ/CV/533/2021 against the principle of pendente lite.

The applicant prayed for the order of the court to declare that the arrest and detention of the applicant from May 15 and May 16 was unlawful. He added that it was unconstitutional and a gross violation of the applicant’s fundamental rights as guaranteed under sections 35 (4)(5) and 36 (1) and (5) of the 1999 constitution as amended.

“A declaration that the respondents have exceeded their bounds by their continued invitation and threats on the applicant. An order restraining the respondents from the continued invitation, a threat to re-arrest and detain the applicant.

”Payment of the sum of N500 million as exemplary or aggravated damages is an unconstitutional, inexplicable, unjust, uncouth, and barbaric infringement of the applicant’s fundamental rights,” the applicant’s counsel said.

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JUST IN: Manchester City Found Guilty of 114 Premier League Financial Charges

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JUST IN: Manchester City Found Guilty of 114 Premier League Financial Charges—-Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of all but one of the 115 alleged Premier League financial breaches, with sanctions yet to be determined and the club expected to appeal.

Manchester City have reportedly been found guilty of 114 of the 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial regulations, bringing a major development to one of the longest-running financial cases in English football.

The reported verdict was delivered by an independent commission following a lengthy hearing into allegations dating back to the 2009-10 season. The Premier League originally charged City in February 2023 following a four-year investigation into the club’s financial affairs.

According to reports from The Athletic and The Times, the independent commission ruled against Manchester City on all but one of the 115 charges.

The allegations covered several areas, including claims that City failed to provide accurate financial information, failed to properly disclose payments to players and coaches, breached UEFA financial regulations and the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules, and failed to cooperate with the league’s investigation.

Verdict Yet to Be Publicly Released

Despite the reported outcome, the Premier League has not formally published the commission’s verdict.

A Premier League spokesperson told Reuters that the matter remains confidential and the league would not comment on the reported findings. Manchester City also indicated that the process is not yet complete.

City have consistently denied wrongdoing since the charges were brought and are expected to appeal the reported findings.

The club said the Premier League process remains ongoing, with significant elements still to be completed and subject to strict confidentiality.

What Were Manchester City Charged With?

The 115 charges relate primarily to alleged breaches between 2009 and 2018, while separate allegations concerned the club’s alleged failure to cooperate with the Premier League investigation.

Reports indicate that 54 of the charges relate to alleged failures to provide accurate financial information, while another 35 concern alleged failures to cooperate with the investigation.

Further allegations involved the reporting of player and manager compensation as well as alleged breaches of UEFA financial regulations and the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules.

The hearing before the three-person independent commission lasted around 12 weeks and concluded in December 2024. The verdict was then delayed for a prolonged period because of the complexity of the case.

Punishment Has Not Been Decided

Manchester City have not yet been handed a punishment.

The sanctions that could potentially be considered under Premier League rules include financial penalties and sporting sanctions, although the eventual punishment will depend on the commission’s findings and the next stages of the process.

The club’s expected appeal could further prolong the case.

For now, the reported verdict represents a dramatic development in a case that has followed Manchester City for more than three years and covers a period in which the club established itself as one of the dominant forces in English football.

Manchester City maintain their position that they have acted properly and have consistently defended themselves against the allegations.

With the verdict reportedly going against the club on 114 of the 115 charges, attention will now turn to the official publication of the commission’s decision, the sanctions, and Manchester City’s expected appeal.

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BREAKING: Haaland Scores Controversial Goal as 10-Men Manchester City Defeat Manchester United at Old Trafford

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BREAKING: Haaland Scores Controversial Goal as 10-Men Manchester City Defeat Manchester United at Old Trafford—-Erling Haaland struck after a lengthy VAR review to hand 10-man Manchester City a dramatic 1-0 victory over Manchester United in a fiery Manchester derby.

Manchester City secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, with Erling Haaland’s controversial second-half goal settling a fiercely contested Manchester derby.

City were forced to play with 10 men for more than an hour after Phil Foden was sent off in the first half for kicking out at Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes. Despite their numerical disadvantage, Enzo Maresca’s side remained disciplined and eventually found the breakthrough through Haaland.

The decisive moment arrived around the hour mark when Haaland found the net, only for the assistant referee to immediately raise the flag for offside.

However, after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned and the goal was awarded. Replays showed that Patrick Dorgu’s outstretched foot had played Haaland onside, while Enzo Fernández’s position was deemed not to constitute interference with play.

The decision sparked furious reactions from the home supporters, with Manchester United players also questioning whether Fernández’s position had interfered with their ability to defend the move.

United were handed a major advantage by Foden’s dismissal but failed to capitalise on it. Marcus Rashford and Kobbie Mainoo both struck the woodwork as the hosts desperately searched for an equaliser.

Manchester City’s defence held firm during the closing stages, while goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a crucial late save to deny Bryan Mbeumo and preserve the visitors’ clean sheet.

The victory was particularly impressive given City’s lengthy spell with 10 men and handed Maresca a huge win in his first Manchester derby as City manager.

For Haaland, the goal continued his remarkable record against Manchester United and proved enough to give City all three points in one of the most controversial derbies in recent years.

The result keeps Manchester City’s perfect Premier League start intact, with the champions moving onto 12 points from four matches, level with Arsenal at the top of the table but behind the Gunners on goal difference. Manchester United, meanwhile, remain on just four points after four matches.

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