The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has unveiled the findings of a probe into the financial dealings of its immediate past leadership, citing a lack of transparency, missing documentation, and unexplained expenditure.
During a joint World Press Briefing held in Abuja by the Chairman of a Probe Committee, Mr. Tony Akowe of the Nation Newspaper, and the Secretary of the NUJ-FCT Council, the outcome of the investigative committee’s work, which was mandated by the Union’s Congress and inaugurated on 25 January 2025, was detailed.
Mr Tony Akowe’s committee was constituted to investigate the income and expenditure of the previous executive led by Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche and Mr Patrick Osadebamwen. Other members of the committee include Ndubueze Chidoka (secretary), Akin Orimolade, Princess Ekwi Ajide, and Imam Umar.
Lack of Cooperation and Missing Handover Notes
Mr. Akowe pointed out that the committee’s work was hampered by a lack of cooperation from key figures of the past administration.
According to Mr Akowe, no formal handover was done, and only a limited set of documents — including one audited financial report and some rental receipts—was made available.
Efforts to retrieve further documentation from the former Chairman, Mr Patrick Osadebamwen, proved unsuccessful. He reportedly claimed to have submitted relevant documents to the NUJ National Secretariat, which has since denied receiving any such records.
Findings Reveal Unaccounted Funds and Expenditures
Mr. Akowe further stated that several questionable financial entries and unverified expenditures were uncovered.
• A total of ₦33 million was declared as rental income between 2018 and 2021, but there was no breakdown showing the names of tenants or corresponding rent periods.
• The administration claimed to have received ₦7.2 million in donations yet failed to provide details or evidence of the sources.
• ₦5.28 million was spent on salaries for four to five staff, even though no single staff member earned more than ₦25,000 monthly.
• Over ₦1.7 million was reportedly spent on electricity, ₦285,000 on DStv/GOtv subscriptions, ₦78,000 on “public relations and entertainment,” and ₦1 million on transport and accommodation—all lacking adequate justification.
• A controversial line item showed ₦14 million received as rent “in advance,” with no associated documentation to validate it.
The committee’s report concluded that there was no transparency in the management of the union’s finances during the period under review.
Congress Resolutions and Public Disclaimer
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, explained that following the probe report, the NUJ-FCT Congress, during its sitting on 12 April 2025, adopted a series of resolutions aimed at protecting the Union’s integrity and financial stability.
He said that the Congress also decided that the Council should issue a public disclaimer against the following individuals, who have been warned to cease parading themselves as representatives of the NUJ-FCT Council:
• Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, currently special adviser to the governor of Cross River State.
• Mr Patrick Osadebamwen, immediate past chairman and journalist with the Nigerian Tribune.
• Mr Ochiaka Ugwu, former secretary of the council and staff of People’s Daily.
In addition, Mrs Gloria Essien has been cautioned against representing the Council at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), as she no longer holds any official position within the NUJ-FCT.
Comrade Oyekunle further stated that the Congress directed the union leadership to call on the United Bank of Africa, UBA, to freeze the NUJ-FCT Council’s accounts still under the control of former signatories (Account Nos.: 1022765326, 1014057659, and Dollar Account: 3002941904), pending a full transition to the current leadership.
According to Comrade Oyekunle, the leadership of the union was asked to:
• Notify the employers of the former officials about the resolutions.
• Alert government institutions, corporate bodies, and the general public not to engage with the aforementioned individuals on behalf of the NUJ-FCT Council.
Commitment to Transparency
Council’s Secretary, Mr Jide Oyekunle, reiterated that the probe’s findings and the resolutions reflect the collective will of the NUJ-FCT Congress and the determination to protect members’ interests.
