NUJ Applauds As Court Nullifies Sale Of Imo Council Secretariat

By Suleiman Anyalewchi

The Nigerian Judiciary has been hailed for its courageous decision in restoring the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, ownership right to the NUJ Press Centre Owerri.

An excited former Imo NUJ council Chairman also hailed and commended Governor Hope Uzodinma for his administration’s efforts at  halting the orchestrated sale of the Imo NUJ state Secretariat, allegedly, by  unscrupulous characters.

His commendation is coming on the heels of the nullification of the controversial sale of the property by an Imo state High Court presided over by the Honourable Justice Ann Ononeze Madu

Delivering judgment on a motion on notice filed by the trio of  Chairman, Comrade Nwadike ,Steve Uzoeshi and Lambart Ojukwu on behalf of aggrieved members of NUJ, challenging the purported sale of the NUJ Secretariat by Chris  Akaraonye and others, Justice Madu held that the respondents do not have the prerequisite right and authority to engage in such a transaction involving the NUJ property.

The applicants had argued that the sale of the property which is owned collectively by NUJ members, by a few individuals was done in bad faith and illegally.

They prayed the Court to declare the transaction purportedly ceding the ownership of the property to some individuals as null and void.

Justice Madu further held that the respondents, whose claims as leaders of the Imo NUJ Council as at the  time of the purported sale, were being challenged at the National Industrial Court, have no legal authority to engage in such a transaction on behalf of the NUJ.

The Presiding Judge was of the view that the respondents ought not to have operated as leaders of the Union until the final determination of the leadership case at the Industrial court Owerri

Justice Madu, therefore, declared as null and void all actions taken by the respondents in their assumed capacity as NUJ Imo Council leaders, including the purported sale of the Council Secretariat.

The Judge further lampooned the respondents for parading themselves as Imo state NUJ Council leaders when, in actual fact, they were aware that the issue is under litigation.

Justice Madu consequently ordered the immediate release from custodial centre of the four persons who were earlier committed to prison without trial by a Magistrate Court over their opposition to the purported sales of the property.

In a statement on Friday, December 6, Comrade Ben Osuagwu, former Chairman of Imo NUJ, praised the court for restoring the dignity of the NUJ in the State.

He appreciated the Imo State Government for standing behind truth and fairness.

Osugwu, who had penultimate week, appealed to Governor Hope Uzodinma to intervene  and prevent some individuals from appropriating a collective struggle, informed that the Secretariat was secured during his tenure from the then Military Administrator of the State Commander Amadi Ikwechegh.

According to him, the Judgment as delivered by Justice Madu, represent “truth, fairness and a clear condemnation of act of criminality by those who claimed to be leaders of the union.

He further called on the Governor to leverage on the landmark court ruling to caution the people behind the controversial sales.

The former Chairman also commended working Journalists and  other Leaders of Thought in the State for their doggedness and resilience in the face of the challenge.