The National Industrial Court, Ibadan Judicial Division was unable to proceed with the hearing of pending applications in the ongoing Kwara NUJ election dispute due to the absence of all defendants and their counsel.
The absence disrupted plans to address critical applications, including the motion to join Dare Akogun, a key challenger of the July 31 election, as a party to the suit and additional statement on oath of a member of the Kwara NUJ Credentials Screening Committee.
During the proceedings, Counsel for the claimants, B.D. Asanam, expressed disappointment at the defendants’ absence, informing the court that both parties were present in court when November 20 was selected for the hearing.
He argued that the defendants were employing delay tactics to frustrate the case.
Asanam further stated that since the defendants had not filed any counter-affidavits to the pending applications, the court should allow him to move his motions in their absence.
He emphasized the importance of expediting the matter, given the allegations surrounding the contentious election.
However, the court acknowledged receiving a letter from the defendants’ counsel, M.A. Bello, explaining his inability to attend due to a concurrent appearance in another court.
The presiding judge, while noting the excuse provided, decided against proceeding with the applications in the absence of the defence, stressing the need for fairness in hearing all sides.
The judge, therefore, adjourned the case to January 21, 2025 for hearing of all the pending applications.
The dispute stems from allegations of procedural violations during the July 31, 2024, Kwara NUJ election.
The case number NICN/IL/08/2024, filed by aggrieved members of the union, contests the legitimacy of the July 31, 2024, election, which they allege was marred by constitutional violations and electoral misconduct.
Respondents in the suit include NUJ National President, Chris Isiguzo; Vice President (North Central), Chris Atsaka; National Secretary, Achike Chude; Kwara State NUJ embattled Chairman, Abdulateef ‘Lanre Ahmed, and Chairman and Secretary of the Kwara NUJ Credentials Committee, Abdulhamid Gbadamosi Alaye and Sulyman Bolaji Gobir, respectively.
The plaintiffs accuse the National NUJ Secretariat of altering delegate lists, using an open ballot system against constitutional provisions, and including unqualified individuals in the election process.
They seek the annulment of the election and a directive for fresh polls.
The matter continues to attract significant attention, with stakeholders urging a resolution to uphold the integrity of the union’s electoral processes.
This matter, however, is not focused on any individual but rather on interpreting specific sections of the union’s constitution and addressing alleged irregularities and breaches during the July 31 election.
Key concerns include the alleged disenfranchisement of members, inclusion of unqualified individuals, and whether the ballot papers used complied with the union’s requirement for a secret ballot system.
