News

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

Published

1 year ago

November 20, 2024

Editor

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

Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

31 minutes ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

6 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.