National Industrial Court sitting in Ibadan has ordered the eighth defendant, Ademola Babalola in a suit challenging his eligibility in the 2019 Oyo State Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, election to channel his prayers through the appropriate quarters.
At the resumption of the matter before justice John Peters, counsel to the defendant, Toyese Owoade prayed the court to transfer committal proceedings before it to another court, while counsel to the claimant, Mr Oluwadamilare Awokoya argued that he had not completed the process of the committal proceedings, noting that the action of the defense counsel was preemptive.
The trial judge, Justice Peters disclosed that he had no special interest in the matter and did not have any reason not grant the prayer, but the court lacked the power to transfer such as requested by the defense counsel.
Justice peters ruled that it was wrong for the defense to file a Motion on Notice for such prayer rather he should write to the President of the National Industrial Court for transfer of the case from him to another court.
The claimant counsel also informed the court that some of the defendants were involved in the forceful breaking into the office of Oyo State chairman of NUJ, Mr Adewumi Faniran and hijacking the activities of the union.
The matter however was adjourned till sixteenth of june 2020.
The respondents are Nigeria Union of Journalist, NUJ, President of NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, National Secretary of the union, National Executive Council of the union, Chairman NUJ, Oyo, Mr Adewumi Faniran, Chairman Screening Committee Pastor Kayode Akinsola, Chairman Credentials Committee, NUJ Oyo Council, Prince Semiu Azeez, and Ademola Babalola, who is an aspirant in the yet to be conducted election.
It would be recalled that Oyo NUJ 2019 Credentials Committee had postponed the elections on the grounds that the committee had received a court notice on the election and that the National Secretariat should clear grey arrears in the process of the election, which included voters list and padding of accredited member list ahead of the election.
Speaking with newsmen after the sitting, counsel to the claimants, Mr. Awokoya expressed confidence that no matter the level of delay tactics employed by anyone standing trial, justice would definitely prevail
Adedayo Adelowo
pub-5160901092443552
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