ABUJA – April 17, 2025 — The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has exposed a series of financial irregularities allegedly perpetrated by its immediate past executive. The findings were revealed during a press briefing held in Abuja, where the Council also issued a public disclaimer against key former officials.
Speaking at the briefing, Mr. Tony Akowe of The Nation Newspaper and Chairman of the Union’s Probe Committee, disclosed that the investigation uncovered missing financial records, unexplained expenditures, and a complete lack of transparency during the previous administration led by Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche and Mr. Patrick Osadebamwen.
“The committee was frustrated by the lack of cooperation,” Akowe said. “There was no formal handover, and only scanty documents were provided. We were given one audited financial report, some rental receipts, and that was it.”
The probe committee, inaugurated on January 25, 2025, also included members Ndubueze Chidoka (secretary), Akin Orimolade, Princess Ekwi Ajide, and Imam Umar.
Missing Documentation and Unaccounted Funds
Mr. Akowe detailed how efforts to retrieve further documentation from Mr. Osadebamwen proved futile. “He claimed to have submitted documents to the NUJ National Secretariat, but the Secretariat has denied receiving any such records,” Akowe stated.
The investigation revealed several questionable entries:
- ₦33 million was recorded as rental income between 2018 and 2021, yet with no breakdown of tenants or rental periods.
- ₦7.2 million in reported donations had no source details or documentation.
- ₦5.28 million was spent on staff salaries, although no employee earned more than ₦25,000 monthly.
- ₦1.7 million reportedly went to electricity bills, ₦285,000 to DStv/GOtv subscriptions, and ₦78,000 to “public relations and entertainment,” all without proper receipts or justifications.
- A suspicious ₦14 million was marked as rent received “in advance,” with no supporting documents.
Congress Action and Disclaimer
In response to the committee’s findings, the NUJ-FCT Congress convened on April 12, 2025, adopting several resolutions. NUJ-FCT Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, announced that the Council has issued a public disclaimer against the former leaders, warning them to desist from representing the Union.
“The Congress resolved to issue a public disclaimer against Mr Emmanuel Ogbeche, Mr Patrick Osadebamwen, and Mr Ochiaka Ugwu. They no longer represent the NUJ-FCT Council in any capacity,” Oyekunle declared.
Mrs Gloria Essien was also warned to stop representing the Council at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), as she holds no current official position.
The Congress further directed that the Council notify United Bank for Africa (UBA) to freeze the Council’s accounts (Nos. 1022765326, 1014057659, and Dollar Account 3002941904), still under the control of past signatories, pending a formal transition to the new leadership.
Safeguarding the Union
Comrade Oyekunle affirmed the Council’s dedication to accountability and restoring members’ confidence.
“These resolutions reflect the collective will of our Congress. Our mission is clear: to protect the integrity of the NUJ-FCT and ensure its finances serve our members,” he said.
The Council also resolved to notify the employers of the former officials and warn corporate bodies and government institutions against transacting with them in the name of the NUJ-FCT Council.
