Giwa FC Returns To NPFL

The reason for the recall according to the LMC was as a result of an interim order from the Plateau State High Court ordering the company to restore the Jos based team back to the Nigerian top-flight football championship.

Breaking…Giwa FC returns to the NPFL; courtesy Plateau State High Court interim order.

— League Management NG (@LMCNPFL) August 17, 2016

The club was eliminated from the competition in May after missing matches against Wikki Tourist, Akwa United and Enyimba following their banishment to Ilorin over crowd trouble in their home game against Enugu Rangers leading to the abandonment of the match.

The court order, which takes immediate effect means Giwa FC will now enter the league and play their outstanding fixtures.

In a statement signed by chairman of the LMC, Shehu Dikko, stated that the company took the decision following an interim court order issued by the High Court of Justice of Plateau State to reinstate Giwa FC to the NPFL.

“Sequel to our earlier Circular No. 10/2016, dated 20th May 2016 and titled ‘Expulsion of Giwa FC from the Nigeria Professional Football League’, we have on Tuesday, 16th August, 2016 been served with an interim court order issued by the High Court of Justice of Plateau State, sitting at Jos,” the statement read.

“The order was made in a suit filed by a certain Mustaphar Abubakar – claiming for be acting for himself and on behalf of Giwa FC – who is praying the court to compel LMC to restore Giwa FC to the NPFL, reschedule all matches of the club which previously had been duly cancelled, and direct to return to the club all players who departed the club and registered for other clubs upon its expulsion.

“The order was made ex parte (i.e. without the Court having heard the LMC) and on an interim nature, with the return date of 23rd August, 2016, when the case would be heard.”