The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone B, has demanded an immediate end to what it described as the sustained harassment and intimidation of officials of its Ogun State Council by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Zone B, which comprises Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states, made the demand in a communiqué issued after its Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) meeting held at the NUJ Lagos State Council Secretariat on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
The meeting was presided over by the NUJ Vice-President for Zone B, Princess Ronke Afebioye-Samo, and attended by the Deputy National President, Dr Abimbola Oyetunde, national officers from the zone, as well as chairmen and secretaries of the six state councils.
According to the communiqué, the union was particularly concerned about the psychological, financial and emotional burden allegedly placed on the affected Ogun NUJ officials and their families through repeated invitations, verbal attacks and profiling during the EFCC investigation.
The union said the Ogun State Council chairman and other officials had honoured invitations from the EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Office, opened the council’s financial records and responded to questions on approximately 25 occasions.
Despite their cooperation, the ZEC expressed concern over what it described as apparent bias and prejudgment in the handling of the matter.
It specifically alleged that an EFCC officer identified as Bashir, Head of the Economic Governance Unit, claimed to have concluded his preliminary report before interviewing the Ogun NUJ chairman.
The NUJ also questioned the handling of the petition by the EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Directorate, arguing that Ogun State falls under the jurisdiction of the Commission’s Lagos II Zonal Directorate.
It further raised questions about the identity and standing of the petitioners, saying some were individuals suspended by the NUJ National Executive Council (NEC) over alleged anti-union activities, while other signatories were not members of the union.
The union called for the petition to be subjected to proper scrutiny and for any investigation to be conducted impartially and in accordance with the EFCC’s established procedures and jurisdictional boundaries.
The ZEC stressed that the NUJ is an independent professional and labour union rather than a financial institution, company, government agency or contractor.
It said the union does not receive statutory subvention or allocations, but sustains its activities through voluntary support and benevolence from individuals, groups, governments and corporate organisations.
While acknowledging that the NUJ and its officials remain accountable under applicable laws, the union said legitimate financial, administrative and welfare activities should not become grounds for intimidation or victimisation.
It urged the EFCC leadership to intervene urgently and ensure professionalism, fairness and impartiality in the handling of the Ogun matter.
The union said that if investigations establish prima facie evidence of wrongdoing, the Commission should pursue the matter through appropriate legal channels and prosecute before a competent court rather than subject journalists and union leaders to what it described as sustained intimidation and persecution.
The ZEC also reaffirmed its solidarity with the affected Ogun officials, saying the NUJ would pursue legitimate institutional and legal avenues to protect members against unlawful harassment and victimisation.
Beyond the Ogun controversy, the South-West NUJ meeting addressed several issues affecting journalists and communities across the region.
The union commended Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for elevating his Chief Press Secretary, Ebenezer Adeniyan, to Special Adviser on Media and Publicity.
Adeniyan, a former Ondo NUJ secretary and national officer, retains his CPS role.
His elevation was also recently commended by the Ondo NUJ.
The ZEC equally appreciated Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji for reappointing Yinka Oyebode as Special Adviser on Media and for his reported promise to donate an administrative block to the Ekiti NUJ Council.
Oyebode was among the officials retained or reappointed as Oyebanji constituted his new administration after his second-term inauguration.
It praised Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, for his support for the Ogun NUJ Council, particularly his substantial contributions towards a 1,000-seat ultra-modern event centre and donation of a new 18-seater Toyota Hiace bus.
The union urged other individuals and organisations to emulate the gesture.
The ZEC also commended outgoing Lagos NUJ Chairman Adeleye Ajayi and Secretary Tunde Olalere for six years of service, ahead of the council’s election held on Monday, November 9, 2026.
On infrastructure, the union expressed concern over the deplorable condition of strategic roads across the South-West.
It urged federal, state and local authorities to accelerate ongoing projects, revive abandoned ones and rehabilitate roads requiring urgent intervention to reduce crashes and protect lives.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, the NUJ urged journalists to maintain objectivity, impartiality and non-partisanship in their reports.
It directed the six state councils to organise training on the Code of Election Coverage to strengthen responsible, balanced and credible electoral journalism.
The ZEC also reaffirmed its commitment to the unity and independence of the NUJ, urging members to resolve internal disagreements through constitutional mechanisms while maintaining a collective commitment to journalists’ welfare, professional integrity, accountability and the rule of law.
