The NUJ FCT Council has clarified why Annah I. Daniel was not in the FCT High Court 12 on Monday, March 8, 2021.
According to a press release on Wednesday, 10th March, 2021 signed by the NUJ FCT Council Secretary of Council, Ochiaka Ugwu, he said that NUJ Counsel, Bar. Ogochukwu Osuagwu did not hold brief to represent Annah Daniel because Annah Daniel was not served any court processes, therefore, could not be represented in a case she is unaware of, ditto for the National Secretariat.
Excerpt is the text of the press release:
The NUJ FCT Council is constrained to set the records straight owing to the many calls by concerned members on the manifest misrepresentation of what transpired at the FCT High Court 12 on Monday, March 8, 2021,
i. The has ONLY ONE Chairperson, Annah I. Daniel. Let’s assume without conceding that there was no election on December 12, 2020, the tenure of Ms. Stella Okoh-Esene had expired as at October 7 that year and could not possibly be parading herself as the Chairperson of the NAWOJ.
However, an election held and the winner is Annah I. Daniel.
ii. It is absolute falsehood to suggest that Kanu Agabi, SAN, was in court. A counsel from his very large chambers was in court.
iii. It is partially true that the NUJ Counsel, Bar. Ogochukwu Osuagwu, did say he had no brief to represent Annah I. Daniel. The reason for this is simple; Annah I. Daniel was not served any court processes, therefore, could not be represented in a case she is unaware of, ditto for the National Secretariat. It is instructive to state that the Hon. Justice O.A. Adeniyi held that it would amount to waste of the court’s time if all the respondents were yet to be served, upon which counsel to the applicant promised to find out from the bailiff as to what happened.
iv. Before the arrival of the respondents to court, their counsel met with the applicant’s lawyer for out-of-court settlement of which they are disposed to. When he briefed the NUJ representatives just before the case was called, they told him to approach the case the way he deems fit.
Let it be stated that the NUJ FCT Exco remains committed to the prevailing cordial and peaceful environment it has maintained over the past two years and desires it should be so.
It is however pertinent to state that it would not kowtow to any arm twisting or extra constitutional measures to achieve this.
iv. It is immaterial on how many people were in court for the NUJ FCT as the council was well represented during the hearing.
v. We have applied for the certified true copy of the day’s proceedings after which we will make it public, and then proceed to take appropriate measures against the mischievous representations.
While thanking great colleagues for their support over the years, I also want to appeal that you clarify with council on any message concerning its activities before accepting it hook, line and sinker.
