National Industrial Court Cautions NUJ Against Proceeding With 2024 Election

FCT, ABUJA, NIGERIA – The National Industrial Court, Abuja Division, on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, cautioned the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) against holding its 8th Triennial Delegates Conference, scheduled for November 26–28, 2024.

The Court advised the NUJ to postpone the election until the resolution of a case brought before it by an aggrieved member, Mr. Olayinka Abdulwaheed Adubi. The claimant seeks to restrain the NUJ leadership, led by President Christopher Isiguzo, from extending the tenure of the Central Working Committee (CWC), which ended on October 6, 2024.

Adubi accused Isiguzo of intentionally failing to constitute an Election Credentials Committee, allegedly to prolong the tenure of his administration in violation of the NUJ Constitution.

During the hearing, the claimant’s counsel urged the Court to prevent the NUJ from taking actions that could undermine its ruling. In response, Justice Olufunke Anuwe cautioned the NUJ to maintain the status quo and await the Court’s decision, setting December 13, 2024, for the ruling.

Speaking after the session, Barrister Sarafa Yusuff, counsel to the claimant, warned that proceeding with the election would be a significant risk and a violation of the Court’s caution.

He emphasized that the NUJ is expected to respect the judicial process and avoid actions that could be deemed as “self-help.”

Barrister Chugbo Enwezor, a legal expert and former Anambra House of Assembly member, also commented on the Court’s position.

He stated that while the caution may not be a formal injunction, it carries the same legal weight. Any action by the NUJ in defiance of the Court’s advice, he explained, would be nullified and deemed an unlawful attempt to circumvent the Court’s authority.

The Court’s directive reinforces the principle that parties must refrain from actions that could preempt judicial decisions; ensuring due process is respected in the resolution of disputes.