.. NUJ accuses Isiguzo of trying hard to sell it’s multi-million naira secretariat
By Ibe Pascal
The Nigerian Union Of Journalists, Imo State Chapter has alleged that thugs loyal to Declan Emelumba, the state’s commissioner for information invaded it’s secretariat.
This was contained in a statement by Precious Nwadike, the union’s chairman in Imo
The statement reads, “We wish to bring to the notice of the general public that, in a bid to justify the whopping sum of money collected from a front company, Anedo Services Ltd. as an inducement to sell the multi-million Naira Secretariat Complex of the Imo State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) located along Port Harcourt Road through a fraudulent transaction, Chris Isiguzo has, as usual, conscripted Commissioner for Information, Declan Emelumba, to help eject practicing journalists and members of the Union from the NUJ complex, so as to deliver the property to their supposed buyer.
“This, for us, is resorting to self-help after these criminal elements had severally petitioned the Union to virtually every Commissioner of Police posted to Imo state. When that didn’t work, they accused the police of compromise and proceeded to Zone 9. At Zone 9, they could not establish any case against the Union, neither could they cajole the police into taking illegal action. They also went to Abuja, with the hope that Chris Isiguzo, who is the major culprit in the criminal plot to sell the Union’s property, will use the presidency to take over the property. But that was not to be.
“Recall that the Union on Monday witnessed the worst form of barbarism and brigandage when some thugs on the payroll of Emelumba invaded the Union’s Secretariat to forcefully eject members and other occupants of the complex.
“The thugs numbering over 10 came with matchets and other dangerous weapons with which they attacked occupants of the secretariat, leaving one of the engineers badly wounded and hospitalized. This sad development happened even with the two lawsuits pending in court that border on the said property and leadership of the Union.
“As we were meant to know, the renewed move is to enable them conclude their fraudulent transaction that was stalled following the relentless effort of Imo journalists who currently occupy the complex and have gone as far as improving the value of the property.
“It is noteworthy that the thugs were led by one Ifeanyi Nwanguma who we know only as a photographer with Horn Newspaper.
“Having concluded that Mr Chris Akaraonye who they hitherto foisted on Imo journalists for the primary purpose of helping them carry out the sale of the NUJ complex, had woefully failed, they found in Ifeanyi Nwanguma, a willing tool, apparently raised in a motor park, with little scruples, zero decency and as ill-mannered as a wild hog.
“It is no longer secret that there grand plan is to sell off the secretariat, share the loot, and ultimately destroy the union.
“We have warned severally that Imo NUJ is not an extension of Emelumba’s Ministry of Information and neither the Commissioner nor the State government has the right to appoint NUJ Chairman for us. WE CHOOSE OUR LEADERS!
“No matter what strong-arm tactics Emelumba and his goons may deploy this time, history is replete with how criminals, impunitous men, and those that side with injustice, end.
“They always fail, and even in this instant case, backed by the Imo state Government, they will also fail.
