BY SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
Controversies have rocked The Borno State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) as the union’s four (4) 100x 50 square meter plots of land allocated by the state government to develop its secretariat and press center were sold without due process, proper communication and consent of the State Executive Council (SEC) members.
On revelation of the deal, four other executive members unanimously tendered their resignation and called for investigation into the matter by the state congress of the NUJ where the state Chairman, Bulama Talba, the State Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim and the Auditor, Habib Sale allegedly connived and sold the plots without any congress meeting.
This prompted the four executive members to tender a joint resignation letter to all respective chapels of the state union, which was copied to other security agencies and the national body of the union in Abuja, following what they described as breach of trust and direct attempt to ruin their integrity by the Bulama Talba led administration.
The Chairman was alleged to have connived with his Secretary, Comrade Ibrahim Mohammed of the Maiduguri Nta Zonal Network Centre, North East, and the auditor of the union, Alhaji Habib Saleh to sell the four plots of land at the cost of N12 million.
The landed property, which is located along Maiduguri-Biu road within the metropolis, was sold to Borno indigene without the knowledge of the other four aggrieved mentioned officials, and the State Executive Council (SEC).
The four aggrieved officials who jointly issued their resignation letter and copied to all the chapels, cited reason that, “they were compelled to resign following a scandalous act in which, the Chairman connived with the Secretary, Ibrahim, as well as the Auditor, Saleh and sold the four plots near Bakasi housing estate, Maiduguri Borno state, after they wrote to the national body of the union demanding to sell only two plots to enable them fence the plot in order to prevent incursion or revoke by the state government”.
Four months after the approval, the Chairman, Secretary and Auditor shrouded the disgraceful act in secrecy until on 22nd January, 2022 when the State Working Committee (SWC) had its meeting.
“Surprisingly, the matter was not on the Agenda of the meeting, and when we inquire to know the position of the land, the Chairman vehemently denied knowledge that some portion of the land was dispose of.
“After long interrogation, the Secretary, Mohammed Ibrahim confessed that they sold four (4) instead of the two (2) plots earlier approved by the National Secretariat at the cost of N12 million naira and shamelessly shared N11 million money among the three of them, while N1 million was sent to the National Secretariat as check up dues”.
“Sadly, up to this moment, there is no single block placed for fencing of the land, hence disassociating ourselves with this disgraceful act”.
“It is in light of the above, that we hereby tender our resignation letter in accordance with Article 5 (e)(5) of the NUJ constitution and after due consultation with our respective chapels to protect our integrity and that of the union”.
“We will like to appreciate the support and cooperation given to us by the entire members of NUJ Borno Council throughout our stay as officials. Thank you.” The signatories said in their joint resignation letter.
The aggrieved NUJ officials who tendered their resignation letters collectively are; Babagana Bukar from Borno Radio and Television (BRTV) who was the Vice Chairman of the Union while Mrs Hauwa Bata of the Peace FM Maiduguri was the sidelined Treasurer.
Other aggrieved officials who signed the joint resignation letter, and believed to have not been carried along in the scheme of the Union are Chiroma Ali Ibrahim of Peace FM who was the Assistant Secretary, as well as Mr. Dauda Iliya of Radio Nigeria, a member of the Correspondents’ Chapel who was the financial secretary of the union.
Meanwhile, the chairman through his secretary has issued an invitation letter for an emergency SEC meeting which took place on Wednesday at the state secretariat, with a view to deliberate on the issue .
At the end of the SEC meeting which was attended by Chairmen and Secretaries of the seven chapels, the trio have agreed to refund all the money for peace to reign.
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