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Court Refuses To Grant Suit Challenging NUJ Delegates Conference, Adjourns Judgment

Published

7 months ago

November 20, 2024

Justice Olufunke Anuwe of the National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, has refused to grant a suit challenging the conduct of the National Elections of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.

The NUJ had fixed its 8th Triennial Delegates Conference for November 27, 2024 in Owerri, Imo State.

However, Abdulwaheed Adubi had approached the National Industrial Court, seeking to stop the election on the premise that the tenure of the present leadership of the union had lapsed since October 6th, 2024.

Counsel to the claimant, Barrister Sarafa Yusuff had pleaded with the court to grant an intermediate order to prevent the union from proceeding with her election next week.

At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, Counsel to the defendants, Patrick Ediale, told the court that the National Executive Committee sought to be restrained by an order of court was not a body known to the Constitution of the NUJ.

He noted that rather, what is created by the union’s Constitution was the National Executive Council, adding that the other bodies sought to be restrained by the order of court including the Central Working Committee and the Credential Committee, are bodies created by the Constitution of the NUJ but were not made parties to the suit of Mr. Adubi.

He, therefore, maintained that the court cannot make an order against a party that is not before it, adding fthat the court cannot make an intermediate order of injunction when the powers of the court to adjudicate on the claims before it were being contested.

The defence counsel equally argued in his affidavit
that the Claimant (Mr. Adubi), who claims that he works for Money Central Newspapers, is not a legitimate member of the NUJ since the said Money Central Newspapers has no international standard serial number (ISSN) and thus does not exist.

“There will be more justice in refusing this application for the Claimant (Mr. Adubi) did not seek or resort to all or any internal mechanisms of resolving conflicts and disputes as provided in Article 7 (vi) (a) & (b) of the union’s constitution.

“Under the constitution of the NUJ, it is only when the Central Working Committee is dissolved that the state council Chairmen and Secretaries can take over and run the affairs of the 1st Defendant, NUJ.”

Having listened to argment of both counsels, the trial judge, Justice Anuwe refused to grant intermediate order of injunction against the defendants but rather adjourned the matter to December 13 for ruling.

“This matter is adjourned to December 13, 2024 for ruling on the application for injunction,” Justice Anuwe noted, shrugging off all efforts by the applicant to secure an order of the court.

Reacting to the Wednesday proceedings, the NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo thanked the court for refusing to bow to the pressures from the claimant to grant an intermediate order.

The president said with the situation, the union is not encumbered from proceeding with its triennial delegates conference by next week.

He, therefore, urged delegates to the conference to get ready for the event taking place in Owerri, assuring them that everything has been put in place to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

“Let nobody be deceived by what some people are spreading across social media platforms that election has been postponed. That one is fake news. We are aware of what fake news is doing to our media industry. Nobody is spared. Our people should just ignore it and get ready for our outing next week,” he said.

News

Uproar As Senate Okays Non-indigene As Rivers Electoral Commission Chairman

Published

7 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

There was an uproar in the Senate on Wednesday following the approval of a non- indigene, Dr. Michael Odey as the Chairman, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC.

The confirmation of Odey, who hails from Cross River State, alongside other members of the Commission followed the consideration of the report of the Ad- Hoc Committee on Oversight of Emergency Rule in Rivers State presented by its chairman, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC Ekiti Central).

The development sparked as a few senators objected the appointment of a non-indigene to head a sensitive position as that of a state electoral commission.

Those confirmed as members of the RSIEC are Mr. Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, Prof. Author Nwafor, Prof. Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha, Prof. Joyce Akaninwor, Dr. Olive A. Bruce and Prof. Chidi Halliday.

Objecting to Odey’s confirmation, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP Bauchi Central) said bad precedent should not be set by allowing a non-indigene to head the electoral commission of a state.

He said: “I objected as observed because if it is allowed and becomes the norm, it will not be well for the country.

“I do not see the necessity of having someone from another state to chair an electoral body.”

Also kicking against the approval, former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume, (APC Borno South), said it is wrong to scout for a non-indigene for such sensitive position when there are over one thousand indigenes who are qualified.

Referring to a comment by the Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South), said politics was infused into the matter.

“It is here that politics is brought into this matter. Nobody is objecting to the personality but to a question of morality this appointment has raised.

“I am not a lawyer and not talking law, we are talking about ethics. This is unethical. We should not intrude politics into what we do here,” Moro said.

But the Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Tahir Monguno (APC, Borno North), argued that Odey’s appointment is constitutional and that there is nothing wrong im the confirmation by the Red Chamber.

He said: “The constitution is the ground norm and inasmuch as there is no provision in the constitution that is against appointing a non-indigene, the confirmation is then in order.

“Any Nigerian is free to take up appointment in any state. I can be a governor in Benue State. We are talking about constitution, not morality.”

The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele while appreciating concerns raised, however, appealed that it is a matter that should not be politicized, saying “The matter does not call for grandstanding.”

He argued that Odey is both eligible and qualified as a PhD holder.

Bamidele disclosed that the committee had also raised similar concern during the screening exercise where he called on Odey to provide constitutional evidence of his eligibility.

He said the Odey is eligible and qualified, adding that having the six other members from Rivers State, picking a non-indigene as chairman would create room for transparency and neutrality.

In his remarks, the Deputy Senate President, Barau, who presided over the session, insisted that anybody can work anywhere in Nigeria.

Barau cited an example of an indigene of Edo State who is the Head of Service in Abia State.

He said the objection “is purely politics because it is coming from APC”.

In the same development, the Senate also confirmed the appointment of members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission and Local Government Service Commission nominated by President Bola Tinubu.

The Civil Service Commission consists of five members, including its Chairman, Dr Livinus Bariki, and Ambassador Lot Peter Egopija, Mrs Maeve Ere Bestman, Mrs Joy Obiaju and Mrs Charity Lloyd Harry as members.

Also confirmed are the chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, Mr Isreal N Amadi and Mr Linus Nwandem, Lady Christabel Ego, George Didia, Dr Tonye Willie D Pepple, Barrister Richard Ewoh, Rear Admiral Emmanuel Ofik (rtd) and Dr Sammy Apiafi, as members.
(DAILY POST)

News

Nigerian Senate Passes 2025 Budget For Rivers State

Published

7 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

The Nigerian senate on Wednesday, passed the 2025 budget of Rivers State, to the tune of N1.485 trillion.

The passage came after the third reading of the appropriation bill on the Senate floor.

This came after the upper chamber considered the report of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Rivers State during the Committee of Supply session.

DAILY POST reports that the bill seeks to authorize the issuance of N1,485,662,592,442 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund of Rivers State for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025.

According to the approved budget breakdown, N120.8 billion is for debt servicing, N287.38 billion is for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and N1.077 trillion is for capital expenditure.

Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central), while supporting the passage of the bill, however, raised a concern regarding the additional 50 billion naira earmarked for the payment of outstanding pensions and gratuities.

The lawmaker charged the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee to carry out more rigorous oversight to ensure that the funds reach the rightful pension beneficiaries without delay.

DAILY POST reports that with the passage, the Rivers State 2025 budget will now proceed for assent and implementation.

It will be recalled that President Bola Tinubu in May submitted the 2025 Appropriation Bill for Rivers State to the National Assembly for consideration, after the suspension of the state’s House of Assembly.

In a letter addressed to the Senate President, Goodwill Akpabio, the proposed budget totals N1.481 trillion, with major allocations aimed at revitalizing key sectors.

The president also wrote to the House of Representatives for the Rivers State budget approval, reminding the House that the Supreme Court had nullified the 2025 budget presented by suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

News

Kebbi Govt Mulls Death Penalty For Bandit Informants

Published

7 hours ago

June 25, 2025

Editor

Kebbi State Government has said it would review existing laws to impose death penalty or life imprisonment on convicted informants aiding the criminals in the state.

This is coming in the wake of renewed attacks by armed bandits in parts of the state.

The State Governor, Nasiru Idris made this disclosure on Tuesday, when he paid condolence visits to Tadurga village in Zuru and Kyebu in Danko/Wasagu Local Government Areas, both recently targeted by bandits in attacks that claimed 30 lives.

The governor, while describing informants as deadly to society, reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on insecurity and promised to treat the issue with utmost seriousness.

He expressed sorrow over the tragic loss of lives, praying for the victims and asking Allah to grant the deceased Aljannah Firdausi and a quick recovery to those injured.

“We are here to see things for ourselves, commiserate with you and reassure you of the urgent steps we have taken to improve security,” he said.

The Governor called on the public to refrain from politicizing security issues or spread unverified information on social media, warning that such actions could jeopardise ongoing efforts to restore peace.

Responding, the Chief of Danko, Ibrahim Al’aji, and the Chief of Dabai, Suleiman Sami, appreciated the governor for his swift intervention and called for enhanced security measures, especially along routes used by bandits entering from neighboring states.

The Emir of Zuru, Rtd. Major General Sani Sami also expressed appreciation for the governor’s visit and ongoing commitment to security in the emirate.