The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has reacted to order arrest of its president and other executive members by the National Industrial Court sitting in Makurdi on Thursday.
The court had ordered the Commissioner of Police to arrest the NUJ national president, Chris Isiguzo, national secretary, Leman Shuaib and the Vice president Zone D, Wilson Bako over contempt of court.
The court also on Thursday ordered the arrest of all those that emerged as winners of the Benue council election conducted on July 3, 2021 as well as the chairman of the credentials committee, Chris Apuu and Secretary, James Shim of the said election.
But while reacting, the union in a statement made available to journalists on Friday said NUJ is surprised to receive such notice as the union never breached any court pronouncements.
The statement reads below;
RE-ISSUANCE OF BENCH WARRANT ON NUJ NATIONAL SECRETARIAT OVER THE CONDUCT OF BENUE COUNCIL ELECTION.
The attention of the National Secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, has been drawn to the bench warrant issued against it and its officers.
We must state with profound respect to the Court that the bench warrant came to us as a surprise for the simple reason that we did not breach any Court pronouncement.
As a law abiding organisation, the NUJ deems it fit and proper to state the facts as they are with its utmost respect for the court and the rule of law.
It is appropriate to state that the NUJ and its leadership were never served any Court process before the conduct of the election in Benue State on the 3rd day of July 2021, since the NUJ is not a meddlesome interloper.
Specifically, the NUJ was served on the 9th of July 2021 almost one week after the election was conducted and as a responsible union which respects the constitutionality of the Nigerian Courts, it sent a legal representation to the court on the next adjourned date.
With all our actions and inactions, we are of the opinion that the bench warrant was not proper, unnecessary just as the ruling was a misdirected one.
In spite of our reservations over this ruling, the NUJ will continue to pursue the course of justice with its firm belief in the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
Meanwhile, as a legal entity, we have instructed our counsel, MAMMAN, MAIYAKI & CO to take all legal steps to set aside the bench warrant and to challenge the ruling in the Court of Appeal. Additionally, we urge all members of the NUJ to remain calm and go about their normal businesses as they will be informed of all events as they unfold.
Chris Isiguzo
National President
16th July, 2021
