Date Published: 05/12/09

Abuja NUJ Crisis: Court orders reversal of Illegal suspension of Uzendu-led EXCO

AN Abuja High Court has ordered the reversal of the purported suspension of the Malachy Uzendu-led executive of the Abuja Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ by an illegal faction led by Mr. Timothy Elerewe.

The Court presided over by Justice A.U. Ogakwu, which gave the directive yesterday specifically warned that no action should be carried out by the two factions of the Abuja NUJ pending the determination of a substantive suit on the issue pending before the court.

The Uzendu-led EXCO had approached the court, through its counsel, Barrister Kayode Ajulo, seeking an order restraining the Timothy Elerewe-led faction from parading themselves as acting executive members of the Union, a situation they knew well has polalized the union to its very foundation.

After listening to the application on observation brought by the counsel to the Uzendu-led EXCO, Kayode Ajulo concerning an illegal meeting held Saturday by the Elerewe-led faction despite the substantive suit pending in court, Justice Ogakwu warned the Elewere group to desist from taking any further action.

Effort by the counsel to the defendants in the suit, Barrister Chude Umoh to convince the court that the suspension was done in accordance with the constitution of the NUJ was rebuffed by the Judge, who asked: Is the NUJ constitution superior to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?

Justice Ogakwu, had ordered Elerewe to stand up twice in court and after upbrainding him, told him (Elerewe) to “tell your "congress" to immediately reverse the said suspension. Don’t let my mind be prejudiced against you”

The Judge wondered what will happen if Journalists, who are the watchdogs of the society, fail to respect the law and continued to behave in the animalistic way the court was informed.

The matter was later adjourned till Tuesday, May 19 this year for further hearing, especially after counsel to the Elerewe group showed clearly that he has a bad case in his hands.