NUJ Faces Legal Battle Over Alleged Constitution Abuse

Abeokuta - By Our REPORTER 

Published, Wednesday, September 11, 2024

A CONCERNED MEMBER of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has taken legal action against the Union and its president, Chris Isiguzo, over alleged violations of the Union's constitution. 

Mr. Abdulwaheed Olayinka Adubi, a bona fide member of the NUJ, instituted the constitutional violations matter at the Federal Industrial Court, sitting in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja yesterday as the notice of motion was being served on the NUJ President and othes.

Adubi claims that the NUJ National Executive Council meeting held on August 9, 2024, did not have the constitutional authority to extend the tenure of the Central Working Committee members beyond their tenure. The constitution stipulates that the committee's tenure should end on October 6, 2024.

Adubi's court matter is based on Article 5(a)(3) of the NUJ Constitution, which outlines the purpose of the Triennial National Delegates' Conference. According to the constitution, this conference should be held every three years to review reports and accounts, revise the constitution when necessary, decide on general policy questions, and elect national officers of the union.

The current Central Working Committee, CWC, led by Chris Isiguzo, was elected on October 7, 2021, for a three-year tenure that is set to end on October 6, 2024. Adubi argues that the committee's tenure extension orchestrated by Isiguzo is a clear violation of the NUJ Constitution.

Adubi's counsel, Mr. Ibrahim Bawa, SAN, claims that the tenure extension is an attempt by Isiguzo and the committee members to perpetuate themselves in office and create a self-induced constitutional crisis. Adubi is calling for the dissolution of the Central Working Committee in the interest of the Union.

Additionally, Adubi contends that the Union's leadership deliberately violated the constitution by not establishing the Credentials Committee three months before the committee's tenure expired. Article 5(9)(a) of the NUJ Constitution states that the Credentials Committee should be set up three months before the expiration of the committee's tenure to examine the financial standing of each delegate and conduct new elections of the CWC. Adubi claims that the union failed to establish this committee by July 6, 2024, as required by the constitution.

Adubi prays the Federal Industrial Court to dissolve the Credentials Committee due to non-compliance with the provisions of the NUJ constitution and for abusing the Union's body of laws. He also requests that the chairmen and secretaries of the  State Councils take over the Union's affairs from October 6, 2024, and organise elections within three months, as stated in the constitution.

If Adubi's prayers are granted, he believes that a fair playing field will be established for all union members wishing to run for elective positions.