By Omotayo Toyeeb
The National Industrial Court, Ibadan Judicial Division, has adjourned the case challenging the July 31 Kwara State Council election of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to November 20, 2024. The adjournment is to allow for the hearing of several pending applications.
The suit was filed by aggrieved NUJ members who are contesting the legitimacy of the election, citing allegations of constitutional violations and irregularities.
Key respondents include NUJ National President, Chris Isiguzo; Vice President (North Central), Chris Atsaka; National Secretary, Achike Chude; Kwara NUJ Chairman, Abdulateef ‘Lanre Ahmed; and Kwara NUJ Credentials Committee officials Abdulhamid Gbadamosi Alaye and Sulyman Bolaji Gobir.
At Tuesday’s hearing, Counsel for the claimants, B.D. Asanam, informed the court that all parties had been served with the necessary documents.
Asanam noted pending applications, including one seeking to add Dare Akogun, a prominent figure in the dispute, as a party to the case, as well as another to allow the first claimant, Fadeyi Babajide, to withdraw from the suit. He clarified that Babajide’s withdrawal was limited to himself, with the other claimants remaining active.
The defense counsel, M.A. Bello, stated that no counter-affidavit had been filed on Akogun’s application, as the defense initially believed that Babajide’s withdrawal would apply to the entire case.
However, the presiding judge pointed out that the application for Babajide’s withdrawal was not found in the court records, preventing any immediate decision on the matter.
The judge further clarified that, as the case was scheduled for mention only, the pending applications could not be addressed at this time.
The case has now been adjourned to November 20 for a substantive hearing on the applications, including Akogun’s proposed addition to the suit.
The plaintiffs, under case number NICN/IL/08/2024, argue that the July 31 election was marred by procedural irregularities and breaches of the NUJ constitution.
They allege that the NUJ National Secretariat altered delegate lists without consulting the chapels, undermining the election’s integrity.
The plaintiffs also challenge the use of an open ballot system, asserting that voters’ names were visible on ballots instead of the secret ballot stipulated in the NUJ constitution.
Key concerns highlighted by the claimants include disenfranchisement of qualified members and inclusion of ineligible individuals.
The plaintiffs are seeking an annulment of the election results and a court order mandating a fresh election.
