NUJ Members Recover Imo Press Center, Extolls Justice Ononeze Madu for the Landmark Judgement.
Amb. Anselem Gozie Anokwute
The Imo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has secured a major victory in their two-year legal battle over the ownership of their secretariat along Port Harcourt Road Owerri Imo State.
In a Press release from Imo State NUJ Chairman, Comrade Precious Nwadike and the Secretary Mr. Ori Martin describing the judgement as the will of Imo State Journalists.
The Owerri High Court, presided over by Honourable Justice Ann Ononeze Madu, who on the 5th, December 2024, set aside an earlier judgment that gave ownership of the multi-million Naira secretariat to Enedo General Services.
This landmark judgment is a testament to the power of men and women of good conscience, who have stood by the union throughout their ordeal.
The union has expressed gratitude to everyone who supported them during this challenging period, emphasizing that journalists are development agents, not morally compromised individuals. They have also condemned the actions of some NUJ members, led by Chris Akaraonye and Ifeaanyi Nwanguma, who conspired with the immediate past National President, Dr. Chris Isiguzo, to sell the secretariat to an alleged proxy of a former governor without the knowledge or approval of the members ¹.
Furthermore, the union has highlighted the recent incidents of intimidation and harassment of its members by Enedo General Services, supported by some appointees of the Imo State Government and cash-and-carry security agents. They have also criticized the Commissioner for Information, who has falsely claimed that the government is supporting these individuals ¹.
The union has called on the judiciary to take steps to purge itself of corrupt and criminal elements that are smearing the image of judges and the entire judiciary. They have also emphasized that credible judges are still serving and that the Imo State judiciary must pay attention to the activities of some bailiffs and court clerks who are perpetuating underhand deals.