NUJ: Court Commences Hearing Over Alleged Constitutional Infractions By Isiguzo-led CWC, As Counsel Calls For Stay Of Execution

From Abdul SULE (ABUJA)

The National Industrial Court of Nigeria sitting in Abuja on Friday, October 18, 2024 commenced hearing of the suit challenging the alleged illegal tenure elongation by the Chris Isiguzo-led Central Working Committee of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

The matter, which was for mention for the first time on Friday October 18, in Court 3 of the National Industrial Court sitting in Area 11, Garki District of Abuja, presided over by Justice Osatohanmwen Obaseki-Osaghae, was adjourned to November 12, 2024.

This followed an understanding reached between the Counsel to the litigant, Mr Sarafa Yusuf, who stood in for Mr Ibrahim Bawa, SAN, and the Counsel to the defendants, Mr Patrick Ediale, that the case be adjourned to November 12, for definite hearing.

When told by the presiding judge that there is a pending application that was yet to be moved, Counsel to the litigant, Yusuf, quickly told the Court that he would be moving the pending application for an injunction on the same November 12, 2024 since the defendants have been duly served with the notices and all necessary papers.

Sarafa said; “I intend to move the pending application on the 12th November”.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the Court session, Mr Sarafa Yusuff said that since the defendants were duly represented in Court, it points to the fact that they have been duly served all the Court processes, stressing that any further action taken by them would be viewed as a deliberate act to undermine the Court process. 

He specifically said that NUJ and Chris Isiguzo are expected to stop any and everything pertaining to the scheduled election pending the determination of the case by the Court.

The case was instituted by a concerned member of the NUJ from the Kaduna Council, Abdulwaheed Adubi through his Counsel, Mr Ibrahim Bawa, SAN.

Adubi is praying the National Industrial Court to adjudicate and interpret the provisions of the NUJ Constitution in relation to tenure of the CWC that was elected into office on October 7, 2021.

The claimant is also challenging the Constitution of the Credentials Committee of the 8th Triennial Delegates Conference of the Union by the Isiguzo-led National Executive Committee (NEC), less than three months to the expiration of the tenure of the executive contrary to the specified provision of the Constitution of the NUJ in addition to the interpretation of certain provisions of the Constitution of the NUJ.

In the suit which formed part of the legal framework in court, Adubi is praying the court to determine whether the National Executive Committee (NEC), has the power to extend the tenure of the CWC based on the provisions of the NUJ Constitution.

The interpretation of some provisions of the NUJ Constitution being sought by the claimant is to check executive rascality, recklessness and lack of adherence to the provisions of the Constitution of the NUJ by Isiguzo in the conduct of the affairs of the Union.

Going by the NUJ Constitution, the tenure of the Chris Isiguzo-led leadership which came on board on October 7, 2021 ended on October 6, 2024.

In the suit, Adubi who is a bona fide journalist is the claimant , while the Nigeria Union of Journalists and Chris Isiguzo are the respondents.