Hon. Justice Isaac Essien, the Presiding Judge, Makurdi Judicial division of the National Industrial Court, has nullified the Nigerian Union of Journalist Benue Council Election conducted on the 3rd July 2021.
Justice Essien also set aside, the unconstitutional requirement of payment of N 5,000.00 for biometrics as a condition precedent for voting in the Benue State Council elections.
The Court further set aside the disqualification of Dabur Nabem to contest for the post of Secretary of the Benue Council of the Union and upheld the disqualification of Mr.Terna Umah, and Mr. Bemdoo Ugber by the screening committee having failed to satisfy the requirement of the NUJ Constitution.
Justice Essien ordered that the caretaker committee be set up pursuant to the order of the court made on the 1st July 2021 to convene a congress of the Benue council of the Union within 14 days from the date of this judgment and to nominate a 5 man Electoral Committee to conduct election within 14 days from the date of the congress, and no member of the caretaker committee shall be eligible to contest the election to any post.
The court also held that the National president of the union, Chris Isigozu nor his agents aren’t allowed to interfere in the election process.
