THE EAR WITNESS – LEGAL OPINION
EIGHT YEARS IN COURT: NUJ RIVERS CORRESPONDENTS’ CHAPEL DISPUTE HEADS FOR JUDGMENT AFTER PROTRACTED LEGAL BATTLE
By Emeka Amaefula —
The long-running case of Akpekwu Christopher Imbufe & Ors v Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) & Ors, Suit No. NICN/PHC/04/2018, pending before the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Port Harcourt Judicial Division, is set for judgment on Thursday, April 30, 2026, bringing to a close—at least at the trial stage—an eight-year legal battle rooted in the 2018 Rivers State Correspondents’ Chapel election crisis.
Parties to the Suit
From the originating processes filed in 2018, the claimants are:
- Mr. Akpekwu Christopher Imbufe (Lead Claimant)
- Mrs. Bunmi Durojaiye
- Philip Ezuma
- Mr. Chijioke Nwankpa
Proceeding against the following defendants:
- Mr. Abdulwaheed Odusile
- Alhaji Liman Shuaibu
- Elder Eddy Egude
- Miss Uche Agbam
- Mr. Anayo Onukwugha
- Mr. Joseph Ezuma( now late)
- Mr. Ernest Chinwo
- Mr. Godfrey Azubuike(now late)
- Mrs. Alice Onukwugha
- Mrs. Jane Frances Oraka
- Mr. Amaechi Okonkwo
- Mr. Chidi Ohalete
Alongside the institutional defendant, the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), and its Rivers State Council structure.
The Early Days in Court: February 2018
The matter first came up before Hon. Justice Auwal Ibrahim of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Port Harcourt Division.
On Monday, February 12, 2018, the court fixed March 1, 2018 for the adoption of motions filed by counsel. At that sitting:
- Some defendants, including Mr. Abdulwaheed Odusile, Alhaji Liman Shuaibu, and Elder Eddy Egude, were absent but represented by counsel
- Counsel to the claimants, Barrister Edmund Ebri, was served motions in open court
- The court granted adjournment to enable proper responses to applications
In a notable remark, the presiding judge warned that any party found to have unlawfully occupied office could be compelled to:
- Relinquish such position
– Refund all financial benefits accrued during the period
Judicial Disruptions and Reassignments
Shortly after these proceedings, the case suffered a major setback with the death of Hon. Justice Auwal Ibrahim in 2018.
The matter was subsequently reassigned and passed through different judicial hands, including:
- Hon. Justice Nelson Ogbuanya
- Other administrative reassignments within the NICN system
- Eventually Hon. Justice Amenze B. Mohammed, before whom the matter was fully heard to conclusion
These changes contributed significantly to the prolonged duration of the case.
Conflict Beyond the Courtroom
The dispute quickly spilled into the public domain, exposing deep divisions within the Rivers State Correspondents’ Chapel.
Particular attention focused on Mr. Ernest Chinwo, one of the principal defendants, whose role in the crisis became the subject of intense media scrutiny. A Towncrier Online publication titled “The Face of a Liar — Ernest Chinwo” reflected the level of internal discord and competing narratives within the union.
While such reports shaped public perception, the issues remained matters for judicial determination.
Police Dimension: Mile One Diobu
The tension surrounding the election also reportedly attracted the attention of the Nigeria Police Force at the Mile One Diobu Division, Rivers State.
Accounts indicate that:
- Parties made complaints regarding the conduct of the election
- Statements were obtained from key individuals including some of the named defendants and claimants
- The situation was documented without any widely reported criminal conviction
The Core Legal Battle
At the heart of the dispute lies the question of whether:
- Akpekwu Christopher Imbufe, late Bunmi Durojaiye, Philip Ezuma and Chijioke Nwankpa were lawfully excluded
- The election involving Ernest Chinwo and other defendants complied with NUJ constitutional provisions
- The defendants acted appropriately despite pending litigation
- Any meaningful remedy can still be granted after such an extended period
Judgment Day: April 30, 2026
After years of delays, adjournments, and institutional challenges, judgment has now been fixed for Thursday, April 30, 2026.
The decision is expected to:
- Resolve the legality of the 2018 election
- Clarify the rights of the claimants
- Define the limits of internal union governance
Conclusion
The case of Akpekwu Christopher Imbufe & Ors v NUJ & Ors is not merely a legal dispute—it is a defining moment in the struggle for internal democracy within professional bodies.
For the claimants—Akpekwu Christopher Imbufe, late Mrs Bunmi Durojaiye, Philip Ezuma and Chijioke Nwankpa—and for the defendants including Ernest Chinwo and others, the forthcoming judgment represents the culmination of an eight-year legal journey.
For the Nigerian legal system, it is yet another reminder that while justice may be delayed, its final word still carries weight.
—-Emeka Amaefula —–+234(0)8111813069—
