Alleged Financial Misdeeds: Court Restrains Bayelsa NUJ Exco

December 2, 2014 – The allegation of misappropriation of funds levelled against the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Bayelsa state council has taken a new turn.

A Yenagoa High court has ordered an interlocutory injunction restraining Mr. Tarinyo Akono, the chairman of the state council of the NUJ and five others from making any financial transactions on behalf of the union.

Justice Margaret Akpomiemie of High Court II Yenagoa gave the order in suit No: YHC/36/2014 filed by Mr. Easterday Ayibaitare, the Treasurer of the union against Mr. Tarinyo Akono and five others.

The other defendants in the suit are: Mr Samson Opokuma, Mr Cyril Addy, Maria Olodi Osuma, Timinipre Idoko and Moses Omorogbe.

Justice Akpomiemie also restrained the defendants who are all executive members of the state NUJ council from further withdrawing from the union’s bank accounts pending the determination of the substantive suit.

However, the judge ordered the claimant/applicant to pay the sum of five hundred thousand naira (500,000.00) only as damages if the substantive suit is found to be frivolous.

To ensure quick dispensation of justice, Justice Akpomiemie further ordered that the substantive suit be given accelerated hearing.

It would be recalled that the Treasurer of the union, Mr. Easterday Ayibaitare had dragged the Chairman, Mr Tarinyo A, Ono and others to court for alleged mismanagement of funds.

Ayibaitare supported his case with 18 paragraph affidavit while the respondents filed a counter affidavit of 36 paragraphs in opposition of the motion.