NUJ condemns EFCC’s alleged harassment of Ogun council officials
By IsaIsawade
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Zone B, has strongly condemned what it describes as the continued harassment and intimidation of officials of its Ogun State Council by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), calling for an immediate review of the investigation process.
The union’s position was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of its Zonal Executive Council (ZEC) meeting held at the NUJ Lagos State Council Secretariat on Sunday, November 8, 2026.
The meeting, presided over by the Vice President for Zone B, Princess Ronke Afebioye-Samo, was attended by the Deputy National President, Dr. (Mrs.) Abimbola Oyetunde, National Officers from the zone, and Chairmen and Secretaries of NUJ State Councils across the six South-West states.
The union expressed serious concern over the psychological, financial, and emotional burden imposed on affected Ogun State Council officials and their families through repeated invitations, verbal attacks, and profiling during questioning sessions.
According to the communiqué, the Chairman of the Ogun State Council and other officials have honoured invitations from the EFCC’s Ibadan Zonal Office approximately 25 times, opening the Council’s books, responding to all questions, and demonstrating “unreserved cooperation” with the Commission.
The petition, which the union described as “fictitious and politically motivated,” was allegedly filed by “The Patriot,” an entity unknown to the union.
The NUJ particularly expressed reservations about allegations of apparent bias and prejudgment against the Council’s Chairman by an EFCC officer identified as Mr. Bashir, Head of the Economic Governance Unit, who reportedly claimed to have concluded his preliminary report before conducting an interview with the Ogun NUJ Chairman.
The union questioned the propriety of the EFCC Ibadan Zonal Directorate handling a petition written by individuals who had been suspended by the NUJ National Executive Council over alleged anti-union activities, alongside other signatories who are not members of the union.
It noted that Ogun State falls within the jurisdiction of the Commission’s Lagos II Zonal Directorate and called for strict adherence to the Commission’s established jurisdictional boundaries and operational procedures.
The union emphasised that the NUJ is an independent professional and labour union, not a financial institution, company, government agency, or contractor, and does not receive statutory subvention or allocations. Its activities are sustained through voluntary support and benevolence from individuals, groups, governments, and corporate organisations.
The NUJ called on the EFCC leadership to urgently intervene and ensure professionalism and impartiality in handling the petition against the Ogun State Council. It emphasised that while no individual or organisation is above the law, investigations must be evidence-based, conducted with fairness and respect for fundamental human rights, and must not degenerate into instruments of intimidation or persecution.
The union urged the EFCC to discontinue what it described as “incessant and unwarranted harassment and persecution,” advising that should investigations establish any prima facie evidence of wrongdoing, the Commission should pursue such findings through appropriate legal channels by instituting prosecution before a competent court of law.
The NUJ expressed solidarity with the affected Ogun State Council officials, assuring them of the union’s support and resolving to pursue all legitimate institutional and legal avenues to protect the rights, dignity, and interests of its members against any form of unlawful harassment or victimisation.