Journalists are referred to as the watchdog of society.
They aren’t only expected to act as the conscience of the people but hold the prestigious role as the fourth tier of government after the Judiciary. This is why it has become worrisome that those who should be holding public officers accountable for any misdemeanor are now embroiled in very scandalous affairs themselves. News of series of corruption in the NUJ, keeps surfacing almost on a daily basis.

It has been revealed that the former Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche is allegedly set to collect N40 million being part payment of the lease contract from a certain Mr. Owan who is the Union’s tenant at the unions council located in Utako, Abuja.

According to investigation, Mr. Owan, who uses the Union’s property as his electronics showroom and store, is due for tenancy renewal in December, 2024.

Competent sources close to the Union executive and Mr. Owan disclosed that the businessman was allegedly approached to release the N40 million upfront to sponsor the candidates of those who claimed they control the political structure of the FCT Council of the Union, specifically, Mr Ogbeche.

According to the so-called power brokers, ₦20 million of the ₦40 million will be paid into the Union’s coffers as rent for the tenant, Mr. Owan. Sources claim this arrangement has been described by an executive member as a ‘win-win’ situation.

Sources claim further that to convince Mr. Owan that his money would be in good hands, Mr. Ogbeche who was the Chairman when the initial lease agreement was signed, allegedly conscripted Mr. Ochiaka Ugwu, the Union Secretary into the plot, assuring Mr. Owan that the Chairmanship position was zoned to Mr. Ugwu.

But Ogbeche, inside sources allege, had a plan B in place. An inside source reveals that at a meeting some days ago, he was able to give Ochiaka an option; run for a National zonal position and he would be guaranteed the backing of the FCT Council.

Ogbeche allegedly confessed to him that he had promised to endorse and sponsor Mr. Victorson Agbenson of FRCN whom he prevailed upon not to run in the bye-election that produced the current Chairman, Mr. Patrick Osadebame.

The insider claims that Mr. Ogbeche allegedly needed a man of ‘tainted’ records to be the Chairman so that he could control him and Mr. Agbenson fits into that role. Investigations unveil allegations of staggering misappropriation of funds perpetrated by Agbenson as Chairman of the FRCN Cooperative society. Agbenson, the insider claims, was not too careful with funds and it took just one petition to ICPC before Mr. Agbenson refunded some millions he misappropriated: “That was after he had slept at the Kuje Correctional Centre. He is yet to fully refund the money he allegedly stole.” Said the source.

Sources allege that with his latest political maneuvering and a ₦40 million war chest, Mr. Ogbeche is confident he can secure his political goals by positioning his lackeys in key roles in the December elections.

Mr. Ogbeche resigned as Chairman of the Council to become the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Cross River state in 2023 and was removed from office following allegations of graft and incompetence; while close sources claim that to give him a soft landing, he was transferred to Abuja.