Osun NUJ: Court fixes July 19 for hearing

The Industrial Court, sitting in Ibadan, Oyo state capital, has fixed July 19, 2016 for the hearing of the petition into the cancellation of the February 11 election of the Osun state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ.

The court presided over by Justice Bola Olalere, granted the adjournment on Monday following the plea of the defendants’ counsel to settle out of court.

Counsel to the defendants, Ranti Ajeleti, had urged the court to allow the parties settle out of court, praying the court to grant him adjournment.

Applicants, Michael Olanrewaju (Chairman NUJ Electoral Committee), Oguntuyi Sunday, Wasiu Ajadosu and Yinka Kolawole, had urged the court to declare the nullification of the February election by the national body of NUJ as illegal.

Joined in the substantive suit are the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Shuaibu Usman Leman (National Secretary and Cosmas Oni (VP, NUJ B Zone).

The applicants contended that the national body has erred to have nullified the election that was adjudged free and credible by stakeholders including the security agents.

The applicants insisted that Biodun Olalere won in the keenly contested election and his arc-rival, Dele Ajayi congratulated him.

When the case came up on Monday May 23, Justice Olalere refused the motion ex-parte seeking an injunction to prevent the National Secretariat of NUJ from taking any step until the court decide the case before it.

The court also refused counter affidavit filed by defense counsel and adjourned the case to July 19, 2016 for report of settlement or hearing.