News

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

Published

2 years 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

Migration Agency Warns Migrants Against Irregular Travel Routes

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Giving is Healing Foundation, has sensitised residents of Ayobo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State on the dangers of irregular migration and the need to embrace legal travel procedures.

Speaking during a sensitisation programme held at Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association in Ayobo, the founder of Giving is Healing Foundation, Mr. Gbolahan Ayediran, warned intending migrants against using illegal travel routes.

Ayediran said many Nigerians desire to migrate abroad in search of better opportunities but often ignore proper procedures, thereby exposing themselves to several dangers.

“Lots of people want to migrate and most of them do it in the wrong direction. The reason for the programme is for us to advise people on how they can migrate in the right way. As much as migration is their right, they should do it correctly,” he said.

He advised intending travellers to obtain the necessary travel documents before embarking on any journey, noting that such documents include international passports, visas, flight tickets and yellow cards, depending on the destination country.

According to him, migrants should also gather adequate information about their destination countries to enable them make informed decisions before travelling.

Ayediran further highlighted some of the dangers associated with irregular migration, including abuse, exploitation, discrimination and forced labour.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Megida Ifelodu Community Development Association, Elder Mathews Amusan, commended the organisers for enlightening members of the community on safe migration practices.

He urged residents planning to travel abroad to always follow legal migration procedures to avoid falling victim to human trafficking and other migration-related challenges.

One of the participants, Mr. Kolawole Adenoko, said the programme enlightened him on the dangers of irregular migration and the importance of travelling through the proper channels.

He added that he would also educate his relatives and friends on the risks associated with illegal migration.

News

Shatta Wale Bailed Burna Boy From Ghana Prison After Arrest For Smoking Weed – Captan

Published

7 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Ghanian singer, Captan, has claimed that his former record label boss, Shatta Wale, once bailed Nigerian singer Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana after he was allegedly arrested for smoking weed.

Speaking in a recent podcast interview, Captan claimed that Shatta Wale sent him and others to free Burna Boy from police custody.

He also claimed that Shatta Wale and his group once accommodated Burna Boy when he was being hunted by some dangerous men.

Captan said, “I once bailed Burna Boy out of prison in Ghana when he was arrested for smoking weed. Shatta Wale sent me and some guys to go and free him from police custody.

“There was a time we also accommodated him when some people were after his life. We helped him settle the case.”

He added that he and Burna Boy are no longer in good terms after the Nigerian artist’s fallout with his mentor, Shatta Wale.

He, however, said he and Shatta Wale are open to reconciling with Burna Boy if he asks for it.

Watch the video here

News

Children’s Day: Chaos At Ogbe Stadium As Dozens Faint

Published

23 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

Chaos erupted on Wednesday during the Children’s Day celebration as dozens of students reportedly collapsed following a stampede triggered by the use of pepper spray.

The event,
organised by the Edo State Ministry of Education at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium was disrupted after some male students of Ihogbe College allegedly made uncompromising advances towards female students at the venue.
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‎ A parent who identified himself as Oboh Emmanuel said, “the behaviour of those uncultured students attracted the attention of bouncers stationed at the stadium as they rebuked the male students.”
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‎Oboh said the affected students later regrouped and attacked the bouncers, leading to a confrontation within the crowded arena.

READ ALSO:Children’s Day: Edo Commits To Child Protection
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It was gathered that in the ensuing confusion, the bouncers were reported to have deployed pepper spray in an area occupied by a large number of students.
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‎Several students, particularly female students, reportedly fainted after inhaling the substance, while others sustained injuries after being stepped on during the ensuing melee.
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‎The panic was said to have spread across the stadium as students, teachers and parents scampered for safety.
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‎Many of the affected students were reportedly rushed to the Edo Specialist Hospital for medical attention.

Reacting to the incident, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpebholo, Dr Patrick Ebojele, said the security personnel that fired the tear gas had been detained.

He said all the students, except two, that were rushed to the hospital have been discharged.

Ebojele stated that doctors wanted to observe the students till tomorrow before allowing them to go home.

“The two students are not seriously injured. Doctors want to observe them overnight. Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education is still at the hospital. The man who used pepper spray has been detained.

“The incident did not happen the way it is being exaggerated. All modalities were put in place to ensure the children enjoyed their day.”
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