France’s former president Nicolas Sarkozy stripped of Legion of Honour

Published

10 months ago

June 15, 2025

France’s former President Nicolas Sarkozy has been stripped of his Legion of Honour medal following his conviction last year of corruption and influence peddling while in office, it was announced on Sunday.

The decision was made public via a decree released in the Journal Officiel that publishes the government’s major legal information. It aligns with the rules of the Legion of Honour.

The conservative politician, who was president from 2007 to 2012, has been at the heart of a series of legal cases since leaving office.

He was found guilty of corruption and influence peddling by both a Paris court in 2021 and an appeals court in 2023 for trying to bribe a magistrate in exchange for information about a legal case in which he was implicated.

Trial over illegal campaign financing still ongoing

He was sentenced to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet for one year, a verdict upheld by France’s highest court, the Court of Cassation, in December.

Earlier this year, Sarkozy stood trial over allegations that he received milions of Dollars from Libya for his successful presidential campaign in 2007. He denies the claims. Prosecutors requested a seven-year prison sentence. The verdict is expected in September.

Sarkozy becomes the second former head of state to be stripped of the Legion of Honour — France’s highest distinction — after Nazi collaborator Philippe Petain, who was convicted in 1945 for treason and conspiring with the enemy for his actions as leader of Vichy France from 1940-1944.

Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein was stripped of his Legion of Honour award in the wake of widespread sexual misconduct allegations against him in 2017. Disgraced cyclist and former Tour de France star Lance Armstrong also had his French Legion of Honour award revoked.

Sarkozy retired from public life in 2017 but still plays an influential role in French conservative politics.

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Abuja hotel collapse: Wike orders arrest of owner, to convert land to public use

Published

4 days ago

April 7, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate arrest of the owner of a multi-story hotel that collapsed in Jikwoyi, Abuja last Friday, April 4 and announced that the land would be seized for public use.

LIB had reported that the building crumbled while workers were on site, triggering an emergency response from relevant authorities.

Visiting the site today April 7, Wike said the building was constructed without approval from the FCT Department of Development Control and that all the stop-work notices sent to the builders were ignored by the developer.

Wike confirmed that while there were no fatalities, several people sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. He warned that the outcome could have been far worse.

Announcing the government’s plans for the land, Wike said the FCT Administration will take over the land for public use, noting that those responsible for the illegal construction will face prosecution in accordance with the law.

He added that the local community would be consulted to determine a suitable public-purpose project for the reclaimed site.

Ex-INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega Loses Wife

Published

5 days ago

April 5, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Hajiya Hadiza Attahiru Jega, wife of former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Attahiru Jega, has passed away.

Her family confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday, April 5, 2026, announcing that her Janaiza prayer would be held after the Zuhr prayer at 1:30 p.m. at the National Mosque Abuja.