The Industrial Court sitting in Owerri, Imo State and presided over by Justice S.I. Galadima on Wednesday adjourned to June 9 hearing into the suit challenging the election of the Chris Akaraonye-led executive of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council.
The court also stopped the election of the union scheduled for May 27, 2022.
Recall that one Lambert Ojukwu led group is challenging the election of Akaraonye-led executive.
The group also filed the motion seeking to stop the May 27 election of the union.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Chinyere Iwunna had prayed the court to grant an interim injunction restraining the Chris Akaraonye led administration in the state from conducting the election after its tenure of three years elapsed on March 6, 2022.
Ojukwu and others had in 2019 urged the same court to declare the victory of the Akaraonye-led executive null and void and of no effect.
ALSO READ Abe Debunks Report He Has Withdrawn From Party Gubernatorial Primary
They alleged that the election that enthroned Akaraonye led executive was fraught with irregularities and sought that the court should nullify the election.
A mild drama had ensued in court during hearing on Wednesday.
Akaraonye when asked by the court whether the election scheduled for 27th of May, 2022 still subsists denied and demanded to know the source of information.
A member of the Ojukwu group, Precious Nwadike had informed that an election of the Imo NUJ had been scheduled to hold at the aforementioned date.
The presiding judge after listening to both parties granted an order, standing down the election until the suit before the court is determined.
But before adjourning the case, Justice Galadima directed both parties to forward to the court, names of their members, including their identity cards, phone numbers and media houses within 48 hours.
The judge equally directed the Court Registry not to collect any documents from any of the parties after the expiration of the time frame.
He therefore adjourned hearing and determination of the suit to June 9, 2022.
