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

Published

3 weeks 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.

Up Next

One-way driver kills tricycle operator in Lagos

Don't Miss

A 37-year-old man named Yusuf Adenoyin was arrested in Isua Akoko, Nigeria, with eight human skulls in his possession.

Click to comment

Man drags new wife to court in Kano over alleged theft of phones worth ₦65,000

Published

13 hours ago

July 5, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

A man identified as Usman Ali has taken his newlywed wife Maryam, before a Sharia Court sitting in Jaba, Kano State, accusing her of stealing three mobile phones valued at approximately ₦65,000.

During the court session, Maryam denied the allegations, stating that she had travelled from Abuja to Kano after enduring repeated beatings from her husband.

She told the court that she was forced to return to her parents’ home to seek refuge from the alleged abuse.

Usman also filed a complaint against three other women whom he identified as Maryam’s friends, accusing them of influencing his wife negatively and encouraging her to engage in inappropriate outings.

The presiding judge, Ustaz Rabiu Yahaya, granted Maryam bail and adjourned the case to July 15 for further hearing.

Seven dead, 41 injured in Bauchi highway crash

Published

1 day ago

July 5, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

At least seven people have lost their lives in a fatal crash along the Alkaleri–Gombe Federal Highway, while 41 others sustained serious injuries.

The tragic incident was disclosed in an updated First Information Report, FIR, from the RS12.13 Alkaleri Unit Command of the Bauchi State Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, made available to Ekwutosblog.

According to the report, the crash occurred around 3:00 p.m. at Kirfi Junction and involved a commercial DAF trailer. All seven deceased were adult males.

The lone crash was attributed to a mechanical fault, specifically, a structural failure in which the head of the trailer detached from its body while in motion.

A total of 48 people were involved in the incident, including 38 adult males and 10 male children. Of these, 41 sustained varying degrees of injuries, 25 adult males and 16 male children, while seven adult males died at the scene.

FRSC personnel were said to have responded to the distress call at 3:02 p.m. and arrived at the scene by 3:50 p.m., marking a 48-minute response time.

The injured were transported to the General Hospital in Alkaleri, with some later referred to the Specialist Hospital in Bauchi for advanced care. The remains of the deceased were deposited in the morgue before being handed over to their families for burial.

The rescue operation was led by DRC H.Y. Danjuma on behalf of the Unit Commander.

In the wake of the tragedy, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, paid a condolence visit to Kirfi Local Government Area on Friday. During the visit, he announced a N50 million relief package for the victims and their families.

According to the governor, each bereaved family will receive N2 million, while those still receiving treatment in hospital will be given N1 million each. Victims who have been discharged will receive N500,000 each.

He added that additional support would be provided through the State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA.

Governor Mohammed described the accident as deeply painful, especially given the loss of many young lives.

The governor condemned the practice of transporting over 200 people in a single truck, calling it highly irresponsible and unacceptable.

Suspected gunmen kill brother of village Imam, one other in Niger

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Suspected bandits have attacked Kulho and Maikade villages in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, killing two residents and injuring others.

According to a post by security analyst, Bakatsine on X on Thursday, the attack happened late Wednesday night when armed men stormed the two neighbouring villages.

One of the victims was identified as Alhaji Yahaya, the brother of the Imam of Kulho village. The Imam was also injured during the attack but survived.

Another victim, Alhaji Bello Maikade, a respected community member in Maikade village, was also killed during the incident.

“Yesterday night, bandits stormed Kulho and Maikade villages in Mashegu LGA, Niger State. They killed Alhaji Yahaya, the brother of Kulho’s Imam (who was injured but survived) and also murdered Alhaji Bello Maikade,” Bakatsine wrote.

Authorities are yet to release an official statement regarding the incident.