The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, has revealed a series of financial irregularities and accountability breaches under its immediate past leadership, following a detailed audit probe. The union’s Congress-commissioned committee cited missing documents, unverified expenditures, and a complete lack of financial transparency during the previous administration’s tenure.
Probe Panel Unveils Findings Amidst Lack of Cooperation
During a joint press briefing in Abuja, Mr. Tony Akowe, Chairman of the Investigative Committee and journalist with The Nation newspaper, alongside NUJ-FCT Council Secretary Comrade Jide Oyekunle, presented the probe’s findings. The committee was inaugurated on January 25, 2025, to scrutinize the income and expenditures of the former executive led by Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche and Mr. Patrick Osadebamwen.
Committee members included Ndubueze Chidoka (secretary), Akin Orimolade, Princess Ekwi Ajide, and Imam Umar.
Mr. Akowe disclosed that the investigation faced serious obstacles, including non-cooperation from key former officials and the absence of a formal handover. Only limited financial documentation, such as a single audited report and rental receipts, was handed over. Efforts to obtain additional records from Mr. Osadebamwen failed, as he claimed to have submitted documents to the NUJ National Secretariat—a claim the Secretariat has refuted.
Key Financial Red Flags Identified in Audit Report
The committee uncovered several troubling financial inconsistencies and undocumented expenditures from 2018 to 2021:
₦33 million in declared rental income with no supporting tenant records or rental periods.
₦7.2 million in undocumented donations with no donor names or receipts.
₦5.28 million in salaries paid to staff earning no more than ₦25,000 monthly.
₦1.7 million on electricity bills and ₦285,000 on DSTv/GOtv subscriptions without proper justification.
₦78,000 labeled as “public relations and entertainment” expenses.
₦1 million for unspecified transport and accommodation costs.
A dubious entry of ₦14 million noted as “advance rent,” lacking any official records.
The committee concluded that there was “no transparency in the financial management of the union” throughout the reviewed period.
Congress Resolutions and Public Disclaimer Issued
In response to the report, the NUJ-FCT Congress, at its April 12, 2025, session, adopted several key resolutions to restore credibility and protect the union’s financial integrity.
Comrade Oyekunle announced a public disclaimer against the following individuals, barring them from representing the NUJ-FCT Council in any capacity:
Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche, currently serving as a special adviser to the Cross River State Governor.
Mr. Patrick Osadebamwen, immediate past chairman and journalist with The Nigerian Tribune.
Mr. Ochiaka Ugwu, former council secretary and staff member at People’s Daily.
Additionally, Mrs. Gloria Essien has been warned not to represent the Council at the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), as she holds no current position within the union.
Council Moves to Secure Union’s Bank Accounts
The Congress has directed the NUJ-FCT Council to work with United Bank for Africa (UBA) to freeze the union’s accounts still accessible to the former signatories, including account numbers 1022765326, 1014057659, and Dollar Account 3002941904. This action is to ensure a complete financial transition to the current leadership.
Furthermore, employers of the affected former officials will be officially notified, and public institutions and private organizations have been advised not to engage with them on behalf of the NUJ-FCT Council.
A New Era of Transparency
Reaffirming the Council’s commitment to transparency, Comrade Oyekunle emphasized that the resolutions reflect the collective will of the Congress and the determination to uphold accountability, protect members’ interests, and preserve the integrity of the Nigeria Union of Journalists.
