Giwa FC’s expulsion: Jos Court suspends Nigeria League

Nigerian Professional Football League has been suspended indefinitely until the LMC fully complies with the earlier order of Court reinstating Giwa FC back to the league.

Justice Kunda in his ruling delivered at the Plateau State High Court which sat in Bukuru, near Jos on Wednesday decried the delay tactics being employed by the counsel to the LMC,Olumide Olujimi, to delay the case knowing fully well that the Nigerian league is time bound, and the league would have effectively ended before the case is determined.

The judge declared the case adjourned since then but also told the defendants that they can proceed with their appeal at the Appeal Court if they so wish.

It would be recalled that Sequel to the expulsion of Giwa Football Club of Jos, a State High Court sitting in Bukuru, Jos, Plateau State, had granted the prayers of the club seeking its reinstatement to the domestic league.

Counsel to Giwa FC, SD Ekara, had tabled five prayers before the Court which includes, “That the NFF and LMC be restrained from further organizing any matches pending the hearing of the motion on notice, Interlocutory injunction compelling the LMC to reschedule all matches Giwa FC did not play as a result of the purported expulsion, Injunction recalling all Giwa FC players summarily released and signed by other clubs, Restoration of Giwa FC to the league pending the hearing of the motion on notice and such other pronouncements as the court may deem fit”.

In a judgement delivered by vacation judge, Justice I.I. Kunda, on the 12th of August, 2016, the League Management Company and the Nigerian Football Federation were restrained from restraining Giwa Football Club from playing matches in the Nigerian Professional Football League pending the determination of the motion on notice.

The Judge also ordered the first and second respondents to reschedule all the matches that Giwa FC failed to play as a result of its purported expulsion from the league.

The LMC was also ordered to immediately return all the players of Giwa FC that were summarily released and signed by other clubs.

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