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The court’s ruling, delivered on October 30, 2024, comes as a response to a suit filed by members within the union challenging the legitimacy of the election process.
A Bayelsa State High Court has issued an interim injunction preventing the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) from holding its state council election, initially slated for October 31, 2024.
The court’s ruling, delivered on October 30, 2024, comes as a response to a suit filed by members within the union challenging the legitimacy of the election process.
Meanwhile, the legal proceedings were initiated due to concerns expressed by union members about the election process and the actions of the screening committee, led by respondents I. A. Uzakah, Yola Amiefa, and Grace Orumieyefa, who were also subject to the court's restraining order.
In his ruling, Justice I. A. Uzakah granted an interim injunction in favour of the applicants, restraining the incumbent chairman, Samuel Numonengi, the outgoing secretary and chairmanship aspirant, Ogio Ipigansi, and another respondent, Kalabo Frank Kalabop, from taking any further actions regarding the scheduled election.
In the suit with case number BYHC/YHC/328/2024, the court ordered that no actions should be taken in connection with the election until the motion on notice is heard and determined. The case is adjourned to November 4, 2024, for further deliberation.
Justice Uzakah also ordered the applicants to file an undertaking to pay damages of one million naira (N1 million) each to the first and second respondents should the interim injunction later be deemed frivolous or unmeritorious.
The court document obtained by SaharaReporters reads, "That an order of the interim injunction is hereby made or granted/restraining the 1st and 2nd set of Respondents from taking further steps in connection with the 2024 Nigeria Union of Journalists Bayelsa State Council Election and/or conducting the scheduled Nigeria Union of Journalists Bayelsa State Council Election 2024, on Thursday, October 31st 2024, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice filed along with this application.
"That the Applicant shall enter into an undertaking filed in the court to pay damages in the sum of N1,000,000.00 (One Million Naira) each to the 1st and 2nd Respondents if the interim order of injunction turns out to be frivolous and unmeritorious.”
The court adjourned the case to November 4, 2024 for the motion on notice.
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