The FCT High Court 12, Maitama Abuja, presided over by Justice O. A. Adeniyi has granted nearly two months for Nigeria Union of Journalists and Chairperson of NAWOJ in FCT, Comrade Stella Okoh-Esene to settle their feud over NAWOJ  chairperson position and report back to the Court.

Okoh-Esene, substantive chairperson,  NAWOJ, FCT Chapter, had dragged the NUJ President, and Chairman, NUJ, FCT Council over what she alleged to be an ambush intended to disqualify her for standing for a second term.

Counsel to NUJ President and FCT Chairman respectively,  Ogochukwu Osuagwu Esq urged  to the Court to grant the defendants one month to enable him explore alternative ways to seek an end to the electoral feud. 

Asked by the Judge why it took the defendants 42 days after the case was filed without any counter motion, Mr Osuagwu said "I was briefed on this matter officially the previous day. "The defendants were operating on the belief that they were given 42 days to enter appearance and they were waiting for me to return from a trip so they felt that with the 42 days they could enter appearance and file their response. That even when they wait for me they will still be within time. That was why they now gave me when I returned back yesterday.", he proffered

In his further submissions, Osuagwu sought for out of Court settlement saying "apart from that Sir,  I on my own was looking at the possibility of my Lord invoking Order 26 on my behalf with the view to seeing whether they can settle."

Responding, Counsel to NAWOJ Chairperson, Kanu Oko Agabi Esq acknowledged that the NUJ through its Counsel had approached him before the commencement of the case outside the Court's premises  and that "He made me understand that the defendants were open to making settlements arrangement with the Claimant.

" I am not opposed to it. I made him understand that we are Ministers in the Temple of Justice and what we want is for justice to be served. On that note we are open to settlement but one question that is pertinent is to what end? Which was what I asked him. But since we are here before you my Lord, I will just let the Court guide us so that we can make arrangement for settlement."

The Judge granted time by adjourning the case to April 27, 2021 at 12noon for both parties to return to the Court and  brief it on the outcome of the settlement. 

The FCT Chapter of NAWOJ headed by Comrade Stella Okoh-Esene on January 14, 2021 dragged NUJ President, Chris Isiguzo, FCT Council, Chairman, Emmanuel Ogbeche, Chairman, 2020 NAWOJ Credentials Committee for FCT Elections, Josie Mudasiru and one Anna K. Daniel to Court seeking the enforcement of her fundamental human rights over her unlawful exclusion from the Association's FCT Chapter Elections.

Stella Okoh-Esene through her Counsel Kanu Oko Agabi Esq is seeking nine prayers to enforce her fundamental human rights as follows:

1. A declaration that her disqualification by the defendants from contesting the purported NAWOJ Elections was illegal.

2. A declaration that she remains the only substantive and duly elected Chairman of NAWOJ

3. A declaration that the  candidacy of Anna Daniel and her purported installation as NAWOJ Chairperson in the purported NAWOJ FCT Election was in gross violation of the NUJ Constitution.

4. She is also seeking an Order of the Court for the defendants to continue to work with her in full recognition that she is the validly elected and substantive Chairman of NAWOJ in the absence of a valid and constitutional election until a Constitutional Election is conducted through a democratic process.

5. An order that the defendants don't have any official dealing in the name of NAWOJ with Anna Daniel

6. An order of perpetual injunction disqualifying or stopping her from contesting in any future elections and or preventing her from carrying out her functions as the duly elected and substantive Chairman of NAWOJ pending the conduction of a valid election.

7. An order directing the NUJ, National and FCT Chapter along with NAWOJ National to pay her the sum of N3.5M as the Cost of litigation. 

Only the leadership of NUJ at the FCT Council led by Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, chairman, Patrick Osaretin Osadebamwen, vice chairman and Ochiaka Ugwu, secretary were present on the defendants roll call in Court.

Chris Isiguzo, NUJ President, Josie Mudasiru, Chairperson of 2020 NAWOJ Credentials Committee and Anna K. Daniel  were noticeably absent in Court

Anna K. Daniel was not represented by any lawyer