March 17, (THEWILL) – Following crises in the Nigeria Union of journalists (NUJ), Benue state Council, the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Makurdi Division have dismissed application filed by Counsel to 5th and 6th defendants, Mr Iorember Apuu and James Shim, claiming they were not duly served as chairman and Secretary of the credentials committee to stop the July 3rd, 2021 elective delegates conference in Makurdi, Benue state.
Others facing contempt charges are National President of NUJ, Chris Isugozo, National Secretary, Shuibu Liman, in the case between Orduen Dura and Nigeria Union of Journalists and 5 others.
When the case came up on Wednesday for hearing, the trial Judge, Justice I.J Essien, noted that evidence available before him indicated proof of service against the 5th and 6th defendants.
He said the defence Counsel appearing ought to have investigated more on the case, rather than relying solely on what his clients told him before delving into the case. More so, that he came in the middle of the case half informed.
In his oral application to withdraw his appearance from the matter and application, Counsel to the defendants, T.E. Iho, told the court that he was misinformed by his clients and further applied to withdraw his appearance.
Declining the application for withdrawal of his appearance by T. E. Iho, Justice Essien, noted that he cannot abandon the application he filed before the court, advised him to formally file withdrawal of appearance and application alongside.
Barr. B.O. Kpesuwe, who appeared for the claimant/applicant had informed the court of contempt motion pending before the court against some journalists violating court orders.
He told the court that, despite pending restraining orders, another Caretaker Committee has been put in place, led by one Jerry Tyosase, while that of Comrade Stephen Ijoh was purportedly sacked.
Justice Essien sought to confirm the contempt from former Acting Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Martins Kajo, and was in affirmative, pointing out that at the moment, NUJ bus has been impounded and parked at the police headquarters, Makurdi.
Regretting actions of 1st, 2nd 3rd defendants, the National president of NUJ, Chris Isugozo and the secretary Shaibu Liman, who were absent in court, said they took last adjournment date probably because they have no defence since June last year, which clearly shows they have no interest in the case.
“I ill no longer entertain interlocutory motion aimed at delaying this case”, and urged Counsel to Orduen Dura to move his application for hearing of the substantive suit.
The claimant counsel, B.O. Kpesuwe in his application sought the orders of the court to interpret articles 6, R6 and 7E of the Nigerian union of journalists constitution, supported by a 28 paragraph affidavit and relied on exhibit A B C D and E tendered before the court.
The 4th Defendant, Martins Kajo, who appeared without a Counsel, said he was relying on the description of the court, while counsel to 5th and 6th defendants had no objection to the application.
The trial judge while putting it on record that 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th defendants have no defence since the beginning of the case and adjourned the matter to 28th April, 2022 for ruling on the application.
It will be recalled that the credentials committee set up to conduct the election into NUJ Benue state council had cleared Comrade Dennis Ayom and Vincent Nyinongu, of the State Information and The Prime chapels to contest for chairmanship positions and disqualified Terna Umah and Bemdoo Ugber of NTA and Radio Benue chapels, for not fulfilling the constitutional requirements.
However, when the list was sent to NUJ national Secretariat, Abuja, comrade Umah and Ugber were cleared to contest, in which a member of the union, Comrade Orduen Dura, filed a motion, seeking an Industrial Court sitting in Makurdi to interpret if national president of NUJ has power to utter the union’s constriction to favour certain persons on an election.
While the granted order restoring the conduct of the said election on 3rd July, 2021, the credentials committee allegedly went on with the election, claiming they were properly served by the bailiff. Hence, their refusal to accept the documents from him.
ISIGUZO
