Contrary to the selective reports being circulated on the social and conventional media, the true facts have emerged regarding the judgement of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, NICN  in the suit: Stella Okoh-Esene, former NAWOJ Chairperson, FCT, versus the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ and others.

According to a Certified True Copy of the judgement obtained online by counsel to the plaintiff and made available to dailyledger.ng.com,  Hon. Justice B.B Kanyip, President of the NICN  in a 166 paragraph ruling, granted three reliefs out of the 13 prayers sought by Ms Okoh-Esene before the Court.

 Amongst reliefs granted Ms Okoh-Esene includes the nullification of her suspension from the NUJ, the parent body of NAWOJ;


The Court, in a categorical statement further held that her academic qualification is not in doubt, thereby  reversing  the wrong notion regarding her qualifications to stand for election as NAWOJ chairperson. The judgement affirmed that her  certificates were duly acquired from recognized institutions;

The Court further awarded damages to the tune of N500,000 against NAWOJ, NUJ, Emmanuel Ogbeche and Annah Daniels who were joined in the suit

In a joint press statement issued by Ms Okoh-Esene and Josie Mudasiru who served as the Chairperson of Credentials Committee in the said NAWOJ Election, the NICN judgement was described as a 'win-win outcome for them, NAWOJ and even the NUJ.

"It is our conviction that the judgment is a win-win outcome for us, NAWOJ and even the NUJ as this will strengthen future power that members possess against the dictatorial tendencies of those at the helm of affairs of the Union.

"A Union, which our forbearers used to fight for Nigeria’s liberation from colonialists and military juntas using freedom of expression as backup, must be seen as tolerant to opposing views in our time

"We wish to re-affirm our avowed belief, trust and commitment in the popular understanding that the Judiciary remains the hope of common women and all of humanity in Nigeria", the duo declared

Dailyledger.ng.com reports that  the Court did not nullify the election that produced Annah Daniel as Chairperson of NAWOJ, FCT Chapter, holding  that like other reliefs sought by the plaintiffs, it has  been overtaken by events and time.

In the press statement, Okoh-Esene further maintained that the judgement "...will and should serve as deterrence to trustees of the NUJ who, in most cases, slam the door on aggrieved members who resort to legal means of seeking redress outside the narrowed and confined space of justice in the Union.   

" If not for the Court’s firm decision which nullified my suspension from the NUJ, I would be issuing this press release as a suspended member of the Union for daring to challenge my marginalization in Court. 

"I view the judgment as a great achievement that will correct the many wrongs in the NUJ. I am however pained that the Union will be made to pay me damages from the hard-earned dues that we pay while selfish leaders will miss the opportunity of learning useful lessons", Okoh-Esene affirmed

On the other hand, Mudasiru in her reaction to the judgement stated as follows: 'As for me  I wish to state that based on the requirements contained in the NUJ Constitution, I had no doubts that Stella is qualified to contest elections which is why I am not surprised that the Courts upheld my position

'I think it is women that have chosen to allow NAWOJ to be at the call and behest of men in the NUJ. It is not like this with female lawyers in their association under the Nigeria Bar Association. There is no need for NAWOJ to exist independently, if not, the men will still be seen interfering and dictating what happens with the association", she lamented