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Kogi AG Vs. AGF: Supreme Court Cautions Against Continued Harassment Of Kogi Officials, Pending Outcome Of suit, Adjourns Hearing To Oct. 10—-The Supreme Court has cautioned Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies against harassing officials and associates of the Kogi State Government pending the determination of a suit instituted by the Attorney General of Kogi State against the Attorney General of the Federation challenging the constitutionality of Acts establishing some anti-graft agencies, including the Proceed of Crime Protection and Prevention Act 2022, and their applicability to the state.

The Acts mentioned in the Originating Summons include those establishing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit.

When the matter came up before the full panel of the Supreme Court on Tuesday (today), May 23, 2023, Counsel to the Attorney General of Kogi State, Abdulwahab Muhammed, SAN, drew the attention of the Court to the continued harassment and even arraignment of associates of Kogi State Government in various Courts despite the pendency of the Suit that was filed in February, 2023. Chief A.A. Adeniyi, SAN, also represented the plaintiff (Kogi State AG).

However, Counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation, T.A. Ghazali, SAN, who was in Court, strangely claimed not to have been served the Originating Process.

The full panel of the Court, led by Hon. Justice Amina Augie, in reaction to the concerns raised by Counsel to the plaintiff (Kogi AG), was unequivocal in making it clear to all parties that once a dispute had been submitted to the Court, and in this case, the apex Court of the land, all persons and authorities in Nigeria are expected to stay further action and await the outcome of the suit.

The Court therefore advised parties to stay further action on the subject of litigation pending the outcome of the suit and adjourned the hearing of the substantive originating Summons to October 10, 2023.

The Attorney General Of Kogi State had, in February, 2023, in Suit No. SC/178/ 2023, approached the Supreme Court vide an originating Summons to invoke the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to determine the Constitutionality of the EFCC Act, the ICPC Act, the NFIU Act, the Proceed of Crime (Prevention and Management Act) 2022.

He contended that, going by the pronouncement of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in the case of Joseph Nwobike V.FRN to the effect that the United Nation Convention Against Corruption is the precursor to the EFCC, NFIU, ICPC and Proceed of Crime (Prevention and Protection) Act,  and that these laws, having not been enacted in consonance with Section 12 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), are unconstitutional and have no applicability whatsoever to Kogi State under whatever guise.

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JUST IN: Crystal Palace Relegated to Conference League Amid Ownership Controversy

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Crystal Palace Relegated to Conference League

JUST IN: Crystal Palace Relegated to Conference League Amid Ownership Controversy—-Crystal Palace have been demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League next season by the UEFA governing body due to multi-club rules.

The governing body’s decision stems from Palace breaching its multi-club ownership rules and Uefa said the Eagles could appeal its ruling with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, could replace FA Cup winners Palace in the Europa League.

Eagle Football Holdings – owned by American businessman John Textor – holds stakes in Palace and Lyon, with Uefa rules stating that clubs owned, to a certain threshold of influence, by the same person or entity cannot compete in the same European competition.

Uefa’s rules set a deadline of 1 March 2025 to show proof of multi-club ownership restructuring – a deadline which Palace missed.

Palace argued Textor does not hold any decisive influence at the club, but Uefa have not accepted the Premier League side’s defence.

Lyon, who also qualified for next season’s Europa League, take precedence over Palace because of their higher league position.

The seven-time French champions finished sixth in Ligue 1, with Palace 12th in the Premier League but qualifying for European competition by winning the FA Cup.

Earlier this week Lyon won their appeal against relegation from Ligue 1 after they were demoted for financial reasons, which affected Palace’s chances of playing in the Europa League.

Had Lyon’s relegation been upheld, they had agreed with Uefa to be excluded from the Europa League, clearing the way for Palace to play in the competition.

English football has two allocated Europa League spots, with Aston Villa securing the other after finishing sixth in the Premier League.

Forest replace Palace in the Europa League after finishing seventh, with their Conference League spot going to the Eagles instead.

More to follow.

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Chelsea Permit Noni Madueke To Undergo Medical Ahead Of Arsenal Move

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Chelsea Permit Noni Madueke To Undergo Medical

Chelsea Permit Noni Madueke To Undergo MedicalAhead Of ArsenalMove—-Chelsea have reported given Noni Madueke permission to undergo a medical with Arsenal in London ahead of his £52m proposed moved away from the club.

The England international, 23, will not train with Chelsea in the United States on Friday and instead travel back to the UK.

An agreement has been reached on a £52million ($70.38m) deal while personal terms were previously agreed on a five-year contract.

Madueke is set to become the second player to move from Chelsea to Arsenal this summer after goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga made the move across the capital for £5m. Raheem Sterling, Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Willian also all moved from Stamford Bridge to north London during manager Mikel Arteta’s tenure.

After joining Chelsea from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven in 2023 in a deal worth €33m, Madueke made 92 appearances for the west London club, scoring 20 goals and providing nine assists. He appeared in five of Chelsea’s Club World Cup games in the U.S., where Enzo Maresca’s side have reached the tournament’s final.

Madueke began his career in the academies of Crystal Palace and Tottenham Hotspur before moving to PSV as a 16-year-old in 2018. Initially appearing for the club’s reserve side, he made his senior debut in January 2020 and went on to become an established part of the team the following season. He made 80 appearances for the club, recording 20 goals and 13 assists.

The England international is Arsenal’s fourth signing of the summer after the arrivals of Arrizabalaga, Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad and Christian Norgaard from Brentford.

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